HANDBOOK TO AUSTEALASIA; BUNS A BBIEK listnritsl fliii itstttptiot Stamurt OF VICT0RIA, TASMANIA, S0UTH AUSTRALIA, NEW S0UTH WALES, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AND NEW ZEALAND: EDITED BY WILLIAM FAIRFAX. WITH A MAP OF THE AUSTRALASIAN COLONIES. 3Hiltoimtt: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM FAIRFAX AND CO., NEXT "AEOCS" OFFICE, COLLINS STEEET. 1859. THE KJW -.:K I PUBLIC LIB. -.3Y 490063 ASTOB, LENC "-IO TILOEN FSJJ r. «s. R :. 0 L PREFACE. The object of this work is to supply a narrative of facts. The design of the editor has been to furnish a supplement to Bradshaw's Guide to Victoria, which should contain as brief, but yet as comprehensive an account as possible, of the past history and present con- dition of the Australian Colonies. It was originally intended that this Handbook should not exceed 200 pages. But when the project became known, it excited so warm an interest as to lead to many suggestions that came from various parts of the colonies—suggestions too valuable to be dis- regarded. But in the endeavour to embody them the work has increased to its present dimensions, necessi- tating the proprietors, very reluctantly, to raise the price. Some apology may be deemed necessary for the delay in the publication. But the fact is, the informa- ti^.had to be obtained from diversified sources, depend- —I injpon such a variety of contingencies, which the editor H could ooot control, that the successive postponement, thfjjgh very vexatious, has been unavoidable. Jt will be readily perceived that a considerable pro- K min^nce has been given, in the Handbook, to Victoria. W This has arisen partly from the rapid progress it has made, especially since the discovery of the gold-fields, W in the acquisition of all the materials of civilization and influence, perhaps unsurpassed in the annals of coloniza- iv PREFACE. tion, which rendered it needful that ampler and more specific data should be given, from which to form an accurate judgment; and partly from the fact that the editor, being a resident in Victoria, has had much readier access to the sources of intelligence than he could possibly realize in reference to the other colonies. He peremptorily, however, disclaims any predominant wish that it should have been so. In fact it was pri- marily designed that each colony should occupy an equal space in the work, but this was soon found to be impossible. A large number of books has been written upon Australia.* The editor, however, has depended but little on these in preparing the present work, but has had recourse for the most part to the first sources of information. Some quotations, however, have been made, but this general acknowledgment must suffice where a more definite reference is not given. Especial acknowledgments are due to His Excellency Sir Henry Barkly, for his courtesy in recommending the Heads of Departments to supply the various details given under the Government of Victoria. The recom- mendation was cheerfully responded to, and some very important new tables, &c., were prepared. The editor is also under obligations to many gentlemen and friends for valuable assistance afforded, to whom he takes this opportunity of expressing his sincere thanks. But he has been laid under an interdict by some of them from mentioning their names. In order therefore to avoid the appearance of invidiousness, he has been compelled to satisfy himself with this general expression of his gratitude. 9 See catalogue as per contents. PREPACK V It will be perceived by some of the contributors that the copy they kindly supplied has been in some in- stances altered, for reasons too numerous to mention, but principally that the character of the whole might be as similar as possible. Defects it is very likely will be observed, but the reader will notice these with candour, when he is reminded that the daily attention of the editor is absorbed by business and other claims, and that this work, for the most part, has been prepared during the hours of night. But his one object has been, whatever it might cost him, to give as faithful a view as possible of these colonies. How far he has succeeded others must judge. Some points of interest may, 'tis true, have been omitted, but if so, it is from accident and not from design. This publication is an experiment. If successful, it may be issued yearly, as Bradshaia's Guide to Victoria is issued monthly, to which frequent reference is made in this volume in the chapter on Victoria. But if not issued yearly, it may appear after certain lapses of time, as changes in the different colonies may demand. It will afford the editor, therefore, peculiar gratification to be favored with letters expressive of opinions, containing additional intelligence, or suggesting improvements. The expenses of getting up the work have been heavy, and a large sale must be effected before the proprietors can anticipate the least profit. But, whatever may be the fate of this Handbook, the editor will have the satis- faction of knowing, that no efforts have been spared to furnish as comprehensive and accurate a compendium as possible of the history and present condition of these splendid colonies of the British empire. Melbourne, December 18, 1858. a 2 Note.—It may be necessary to explain or apologise for the use of numeral characters in marking the first 140 pages of this work. The Tasmanian information having been com- pleted first, it was printed; but it was afterwards found that the space originally allotted to Victoria was quite inadequate; this plan was therefore adopted in order to surmount the difficulty. CONTENTS VICTORIA. GOVERNMENT: Executive Council Government Departments ... Legislative Council Legislative Assembly Parliament of Victoria... Chief Secretary— Gold Fields of Victoria Medical Department ... Naval Penal Establishments ... Police Force Public Library Registrar General's Department Law Department— Attorney and Solicitor Generals Crown Solicitor ... Sessions Sheriff's Department Supreme Court Treasury— Audit Department Gold Office Government Stores Government Printing Office Licenses, &c. Pounds Trade, Customs, and Shipping— Buoys Immigration ... Lighthouses Ports and Harbors Shipping ... Tidal Signals .. Vessels, Inwards and Outwards HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. VICTORIA.—(Continued.) Land and Works— Page Crown Lands ... ... ... 41 Roads and Bridges ... ... ... 42 Post Office— Information respecting Department ... 43 EDUCATION: Church of England Grammar School, Melbourne xciii Denominational Schools ... ... ... xc Geelong Grammar School ... ... xciv National Schools ... ... ... xcii Scotch College ... ... ... xciv University of Melbourne ... ... ... lxxxvii RELIGION: Baptists ... ... ... ... ... lxxxi Church of England ... ... ... lxxiii Congregationalists or Independents ... lxxix German Lutheran Church ... ... lxxxv Jewish Religion ... ... ... lxxxv Presbyterians... ... ... ... lxxxii Roman Catholic Church ... ... lxxvi United Methodist Free Churches ... lxxxiii Unitarians ... ... ... ... lxxxv Wesleyan Methodist Church ... ... Ixxviii RAILWAYS: Geelong and Melbourne ... ... cxxi Geelong and Ballaarat ... .. ... cxxv Melbourne and Hobson's Bay .. ... cxxiii Melbourne and Suburban ... ... cxxiv Melbourne and Murray River ... ... cxxv St. Kilda and Brighton ... ... ... cxxv INSTITUTIONS, &c.: Banks (joint-stock) ... ... . . cxiii Benevolent Asylum ... ... ... xcvi Freemasonry ... ... ... cv Immigrants' Aid Society ... .,. xcix Insurance Companies ... ... cxvii Lying-in Hospital ... ... ... xcviii Melbourne Hospital ... ... ... xcv Miscellaneous Companies ... ... ... cviii Savings' Banks ... ... ... cxvi Philosophical Institute ... ... ... ciii GENERAL HEADS: Acts of Council and of Parliament ... ... 20 Aborigines ... ... ... ... 1 Agricultural Produce ... ... ... cxviii Astronomy ... ... . . ... civ Botanical Gardens ... ... ... lxx Country Districts ... ... ... cxxxviii CONTENTS. VICTORIA.— {Continued.) Climate ... Companies, &c., Ecclesiastical Electric Telegraph Gas Geelong Geology Gold History Houses of Parliament Live Stock Mails, European Melbourne ... '... Mills and Manufactures Military Department Miscellaneous Municipalities Museum Physical Geography Position and Boundaries Population Post Towns ... Sewerage and "Water Commission ... TASMANIA. Banks and Public Companies ... Character and Production of Districts Ecclesiastical Farming General Appearance of Towns ... Government, Law, &c. Historical Immigrants Land Regulations Miscellaneous Natural Productions ... Physical Features Political Preliminary Price of Necessaries of Life Bates of Wages ... Seasons, Climate and Natural Scenery Societies, Institutions, &c. Statistical Travelling Zoology and Entomolgy X HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Adelaide and Suburbs Banks and Insurance Companies Country Townships, Ports, &c. Districts, Roads, &c. ... Ecclesiastical Education Government, Law, &c. History Horticulture Land Sales ... Mines Miscellaneous Political Affairs ... Population and Statistics Position and Boundaries ... Public Works Religion Rivers Societies, Institutions, &c. Soil, Climate, &c. NEW SOUTH WALES. Agriculture ... Births, Marriages, and Deaths Coal ... Counties and Towns Country Districts Ecclesiastical Exports Government, Law, &c. History Imports Iron ... Institutions, Companies, Societies, &c. Miscellaneous Moreton Bay Population Position and Boundaries ... Seasons and Climate ... Shipping, Harbors, &c. Statistics Sydney Tallow and Lard Vineyards Page ... 130 153 ... 132 134 ... 152 147 ... 150 138 ... 146 144 ... 135 155 ... 141 143 ... 130 136 ... 149 134 ... 153 136 179 179 176 173 185 181 176 180 158 176 179 182 184 193 180 157 157 174 167 109 180 179 CONTENTS. xi WESTERN AUSTRALIA. Page Description ... ... ... ... ... 184 Ecclesiastical ... ... ... ... 197 Government, Law, &c. ... ... ... ... 196 History ... ... ... .. ... 194 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... 197 Victoria, or Port Gregory District ... ... 195 NEW ZEALAND. Cattle, Sheep, &c. 203 Description ... ... ... ..• ••• 199 History ... . .. ... ••• - 200 Imports and Exports .. ... ... •.. 203 Land ... ... 201 Miscellaneous •• .•• ••• 205 Natives ..I ... .•• .•• ••• 200 Population ... ... • • ••• 204 Position ... ... ... - •.. 198 Steam Communication ... 9-*> Auckland ..v^fcjf_.. ... ... ... 206 Canterbury • •. .•• ••• 215 Nelson ... ...' ... ... ... ... 213 Otago ... ... . . ... ... 221 Taranakt, or New Plymouth ... ... ... 213 Wellington ... ... ... ... ... 210 CATALOGUE OF BOOKS, &c. ... ... ... 229 ERRATUM. Page xliii, line sixteen from the bottom, for Sir R. Nickle read Mr. J. V. F. L. Foster. , .9 i I m S 9 H s «S 9 ' qx 9' 9 ' S K • US 9 ' S l 9 ' S K 8 ui 9 ' S A 9 ' S H S •i i I 9 ' S S 1 CP Ä 9 ' O Ä S 83 So A R s i A 9 ' S & I SI K s ui I S 9' I S H 8 I .i 9 ' S 9 I S R S ui A S S S 9\ 85 I 49 I 93 99 R 99 SS 9 9 S SS 91 ST »I ST ST n S S B 9 S 9 9 9 S K SI pro 9*< 030 'AON I S BB #0 §1 II o pr o ■ US S S W 8 «i S S Sf 8 «i A S A S R s 9'i A S 9 S K 8 •9 A S Köl §41 ±30 lidas onv mnr iiinr avmi ad v uvim S K S S S S K s «9 A S 9 S K 8 US A qi 99 ' S K S «B S 9 S K _B 9 S 99 99 S 03 9 81 a 81 S 9S ST 9 S 0T 9 9 9 9 9 f 9 9 S K 51 S 9' S H S ui S A S H s ui A qi A S H S ui A qi A S K s US A S §4 H 8 •9 A |S l 9 ' S H 8 «i |S A |S W 8 I US A |S AV [S R I S 99 ' o S K 8 sas. I1 So 9 * 9 9 S K Oil if M § a,.i |S| Ml 1*1 9 h .gl 03d VICTOKIA (Port Phillip). POSITION AND BOUNDARIES. Victoria, the most southern settlement of Australia, is situate between the parallels of 141° and 150° east longitude, and 34° and 39° south latitude. Beginning at the extreme north-western point on the River Murray, 34° south latitude, and 141° east longitude, it is separated from South Australia by a divisional line which passes down to the sea-coast near the mouth of the River Glenelg, approaching 38° south lati- tude, so that its south-westernmost point is 38° south latitude, and 141° east longitude. Its southern boundary is traced by a very sinuous coast line, which separates it from Tasmania by Bass's Straits, its extreme southernmost point being Wilson's Promontory, in 39° 17' south latitude, 146° 25' east longitude. From Wilson's Promontory, the south-east side is bounded by the Southern Ocean as far as Cape Howe, 150° east longitude, 37° 30' south latitude. On its northern side it is limited by a straight line drawn from Cape Howe to the head of the River Murray, near Mount Kosciusko, from which point that river constitutes its divisional line from New South Wales. HISTORY. Lieutenant Murray, B N., of the brig Lady Nelson, in February 1802, first discovered the waters of Port Phillip, and after a cursory survey, named the point at the entrance "Nepean," and the hill seen from the Heads, "Arthur's Seat," names which they still bear. On the 27th of April, 1802, Lieut. Flinders, having entered Port Phillip Bay, and supposing he was the fiivt to nave discovered it, made an accurate survey of its waters. Visiting the hills near Geelong, he named them Station Peaks, and the peninsula, Indented Head. Early in 1803, the Lieut. Governor of New South Wales, Philip Gidleigh King, Capt. R.N., despatched the Sur- veyor-General, Mr. Grimes, to examine and report on the capabilities of the bay, when he found the river at its head, now called the Varra. Thirty-two years afterwards, in 1835, B* VICTORIA. XV some few marines, settlers, and convicts, to that port. On their recommendation, Governor Collins proceeded thither, but not approving of Risdon, the place selected by Lieut. Bowen, he fixed on Sullivan's Cove, where the landing of the people took place, February 16th, 1804. The Ocean transport was the vessel employed, in which the whole of the people, stores, &c., were removed in two trips, the last of which took place in June, 1804. In 1824, Messrs. Hume and Hovell, squatters residing near Lake George, resolved to explore the southern part of New Holland. Pursuing their course, they kept on the western side, clear of the Australian Alps, discovered a fine river which they named the Hume, now called the Murray, crossed several smaller rivers, and eventually reached Port Phillip Bay, at the river Exe or Werribee, in December, 1824. Returning to Sydney, they reported having found a fine grazing country and an overland route to Western Port. An account of their discoveries was published in the "Sydney Gazette." Subsequently, however, it was discovered to be Port Phillip Bay, and not Western Port, they had touched upon. Their flattering account stimulated the Sydney Government to despatch Captain Wright with troops, con- victs, &c., to form a settlement at Western Port; but as colonial governors and military men were not the best judges where to settle, or how to form a colony profitably in a new country, this also was given up, and the whole party removed to Sydney. In 1834, the Messrs. Henty, of Launceston, sent over vessels, boats, and many able seamen, to form a whaling establishment at Portland Bay.* This was clearly the first permanent settle- ment of British subjects in this province. The Hentys have maintained their hold continuously from 1834 to the present day, their flocks and herds having increased surprisingly. To Mr. John Batman, a gentleman who must rank with the Hentys as a pioneer, Victoria is exceedingly indebted. He had been for a long time endeavouring to obtain assistance to pass over and colonise Port Phillip, and in 1835 he succeeded in drawing the attention of persons in authority to his scheme. Governor Arthur suggested the organisation of a company to pass over and make some sort of bargain with the aborigines for the purchase of these lands, to form mighty squattages; and Mr. Joseph Tice Gellibrand, a barrister, ex-Attorney-General of Van Diemen's Land, one of the copartners, drew up a deed to be signed by the aborigines. The company, consisting of fourteen persons,! * See particulars under heads of Portland, Warrnambool, and Belfast. 1 The names of the shareholders of the company, whom Mr. Henry Batman was employed by and associated with, from Van Diemen's Land, were as follows:—1. Charles Swanston, Captain E.I.C.S., Member of Governor Arthur's Council. 2. T. Bannister, Sheriff. 8. James Simpson, B 2 VICTORIA. xvii short his career. He subsequently produced another deed signed by the Jagga Jagga brothers and others, selling to him and the co-partners the whole of Indented Head, called 100,000 acres, This deed, a copy of which is printed in " Arden's Port Phillip," states that the aborigines and BatmanSs men marked the trees due south from the head of Geelong Bay, a distance of ten miles, omitting to account for the Barwon river, which was subsequently found to cross this track, forming a wide sheet of water. Moreover, the Jagsia Jagga brothers were men of the western hill tribes, and could have no pretensions to these lands, but would most likely have suffered death had they presumed to intrude thereon without previous notice and permission. In July, 1835, a project to colonise Port Phillip entered the mind of Mr. J. P. Fawkner, who had been led to believe that line grazing lands existed in the interior. He formed a party, consisting of Messrs. William and Samuel Jackson, Robert Hay Marr, George Evans, and Captain Lancy, who were willing to accompany him. He purchased the blnt-rprizt from Mr. John Anderson Brown, and as soon as she could be got ready, embarked the party at Launceston. Fawkner and his party left Launceston about the middle of July. He was taken ill during the first few days of the voy- age, and a foul wind driving the vessel back to George Town, he there landed with one of his horses, leaving two on board, having previously filled up a code of directions for the guid- ance of Captain Lancey, as his agent, in charge of his servants and goods, with full directions how to proceed with the survey, and on no account to settle except upon a perma- nent running stream of good water. The party searched the whole range of Western Port, and then commenced on the eastern side of Port Phillip, until they found the Yarra, where they fixed on what is now known as Batman's Hill, marking out ten acres for each of the party, and drew lots for the plots. Having pitched their tents, they proceeded to form a garden, and plant out a large quantity of fruit trees, &c., shipped by Mr. Fawkner, and within one week from the landing, August 29, 1835, a garden was formed, trees planted, seeds sown, and five acres of ground ploughed, harrowed, and sown with wheat. Subsequently, Mr. Fawkner removed his establishment, and fixed his tent at the rear of the site of the present Custom House (where he opened the first public house), in order to be near the fresh water, and contiguous to the place where he moored his vessel, exactly opposite the present Yarra Hotel, in William-street. Shortly after Messrs. Lancey, Marr, Evans, and Wm. Jackson had settled, as directed, on the Yarra, Mr. J. H. Wedge came to them from Batman's station at Indented Head, the Sydney Blacks having reported the arrival of the Enterprise. He went back to the station, and immediately, accompanied by Henry Batman xviii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. with men and stores, returned to the new settlement, and ordered Fawkner's party off his land. The Messrs. Lanoey and Co., would not acknowledge his right to interfere, and therefore treated the threat with contempt. The first cattle and sheep were landed from the Nonal on November 10th, 1835, consisting of fifty pure Hereford cows, belonging to Dr. Thomson, and five hundred sheep, the pro- perty of Mr. Connolly, of Belfast. Messrs. Cowie, Stead, Steiglitz, Estcourt, and Ferguson came by this trip. About March, 1836, Major Mitchell proceeded in his ex- ploration of the interior of the country, passing from Sydney out to Portland Bay. He named the interior Australia Felix. Mr. George Evans, now a farmer on the Deep Creek, and Mr. Samuel Jackson, a wealthy squatter in the Portland district, are cognisant of the facts related above. When Mr. Fawkner and his family, with the Lancey party, arrived at Port Phillip on October, 9, 1835, thirty-two years after his first arrival, he found the herbage so rich, and the country altogether so attractive, that he determined upon making it his home. Birds abounded on the water; ducks, teal, geese, swans, &c , were in thousands. The new colonists lived on board the Mnterprize for a month, whilst a wooden house was being erected, with the materials brought over from Launceston. Batman's people lived in sod huts or tents. In November, Mr. John Batman came over to examine his vast squattage, and repeated his order, through his brother Henry, to Mr. Fawkner to remove off his land, he laying claim to all the lands on the north side of the Yarra. Upon refusal, he sent one of the Sydney aborigines to inform Fawkner that if he did not leave instantly he would drive him off by force of arms. This threat was treated very lightly. Whilst, how- ever, Fawkner was building his house, Buckley, who had joined Batman's party at Indented Head, and now resided with them, sent out messengers and collected some two or three hundred blacks—men, women, and children; and about the same time the Goulburn, Barrabool, and Western Port blacks laid a plan to murder all the white people. One of the Melbourne aborigines, who had been kindly treated by Fawkner's party, and had received presents from them, came privately and gave information. Recourse was had to Wm. Buckley to learn the real nature of this communication, and it was found that the men were all armed and painted for war. Fawkner and Batman, in this emergency, collected and armed, entered into a treaty with these foes, on the con- dition that they should all quit the township and cross to the south side of the Yarra. The boats of the colonists put them over the river, the rest of the men standing as guards with loaded firearms. The Enterprise was the first vessel, larger than a whale boat, that ever reached the basin at Melbourne, and it took the VICTORIA. xix crew and passengers some days to gather and fix tea tree stakes, as water or river marks, by which to keep clear of the shoals. Very few settlers and not much stock came over to Port Phillip during the remainder of the year 1835. In March, 1836, Dr. Thomson (now Mayor of Geelong), arrived with his family, and acted as an arbitrator by general consent. His tent was, in fact, the first police office in Melbourne. On June 1st, 1836, a council of the people was held, to frame regula- tions for their guidance; and the proposal of Messrs. Gelli- brand and Swanston, to the Port Phillipians, to submit their property and personal liberty to the control of members of the Batman co-partnery, was rejected, on the motion of Mr. Fawkner. Dr. Thomson contemplating a removal to Geelong, Mr. James Simpson was appointed general arbitrator, and was to call in two assistants if he thought proper. A Mr. Stewart, a Sydney magistrate, was present at this time, and was autho- rised to report upon the conduct of the colonists. Advan- tage was taken of his presence, and a petition forwarded through him to Governor Bourke, asking for the-appointment of magistrates and police to maintain order, pointing out that the cost could be defrayed by levying duties on imported goods. Settlers and stock poured over as soon as it became known that Governor Sir Richard Bourke had disallowed the scheme of wresting the lands from the aborigines for a few looking glasses. Batman and his family came over in June, a house having been built for him at the first landing place. Constant employment in bringing over sheep was found for the Adelaide schooner, the Henri/ brig, the Champion, the Enterprise and others; and huts rose on all parts of the present town. The sheep were generally landed at Gellibrand's point, and then driven to their destination. Early in that year, Mr. Franks, one of the first emigrants in 1803, and his shepherd, were killed by some of the Goul- burn tribe of blacks. Their station was at Cotterill's Sugar- loaf, near the River Exe or Werribee. They were both killed at one moment by two men, who, pretending friendship, smote them down by driving their tomahawks into the back of their heads. A party was soon sent out after them, led by four of the Melbourne blacks, who recovered part of the property stolen, and took vengeance on some of the tribe to which the murderers belonged. The Flagstaff Hill was selected for a burial ground. The child of a man of the name of Goodman was the first who was buried by the Europeans at Melbourne. Mr. Franks and his man were interred there, attended by all the residents. In September, 1836, Sir Bichard Bourke sent Captain Lonsdale, as police magistrate, with a party of soldiers and convicts, and with them Messrs. Webb, customs officer; Mr. Craig, Commissariat; DArcey, Russell and Darke, surveyors. The settlement was thus placed under 1S. jal British rule. XX HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. The extraordinary progress of the settlement was evi- denced in 1837, when it was estimatSd that there was a population of 500, with 140,000 sheep, 2,500 cattle and 150 horses. Sir Richard Bourke, therefore, resolved on a tour of inspection, and in April of that year entered the bay on board the Rattlesnake, commanded by Captain Hobson, whose name, as a mark of honor, was given to the inlet. His Excellency also gave the name Williamstown, in honor of the reigning sovereign, to the proposed township at Hobson's Bay. Melbourne, the proposed metropolis of the district, was named by him after Lord Melbourne ; and Geelong, the proposed township at the head of Corio Bay. The settlers waited on His Excellency, and every possible mark of respect was exhibited. Arrangements were made to put up portions of the surveyed allotments to public sale; and after having seen something of the interior, the Governor returned to Sydney. The first land sale was held on June 1st, 1837. and realised from £18 to» £78 per allotment; the second was held on 1st November, as a matter of indulgence on the part of the Governor:—since the sales of town and suburban allotments that were held in Sydney, a year later, realised prices that quadrupled those obtained in Melbourne. In this year the colony had to mourn the loss of Joseph Tice Gellibrand, an able lawyer of some notoriety in Van Diemen's Land, who had been amongst the most energetic of those that promoted the colonization of Port Phillip. In company with another lawyer, Mr. Hesse, under the guidance of a shepherd, he started from Geelong for the interior The party lost their way, and these two gentlemen, separated from their guide, and having wandered in the bush, were never more seen; although from scattered items of information, long afterwards obtained from the aborigines, there appears but little doubt that the unfortunate gentlemen perished a short time after leaving their guide, in the neighborhood of Lake Corangamite, which, in consequence of its saltness, they are said to have mistaken for an inlet of the sea. From the earliest period Port Phillip became noted for the lively and bustling spirit that characterised the colonists. This tone of enterprise and go-a-headism soon made it ap- parent to the Sydney authorities that a mere police establish- ment was insufficient for the requirements of the province, and measures were taken to establish a local administration. C. J. LaTrobe was gazetted on 30th July, 1839, as superinten- dent, and on the 30th September he initiated, by his own arrival in Port Phillip, the political history of the colony. On the 2nd October the first interview took place between the superintendent and the colonists in the Auction Company's rooms, Collins-street, and no small amount of congratulation was felt by all in the event. Captain Lonsdale, who had VICTORIA. previously acted as police magistrate, was advanced to the post of sub treasurer; Mr. James Simpson succeeded to the vacant officn of stipendiary magistrate; and Mr. Croke was constituted chief legal adviser. The next movement of importance was a public meeting held in the store of Mr. Isaac Hind, on the 30th December, 1840, to take measures for the separation of Port Phillip from the government of New South Wales. It was felt that the incorporation of the southern province with the older colony was an accident arising from the action of Sir Richard Bourke in promptly linking the new settlement with the depen- dency he ruled, and not from any expressed opinion of the Imperial Government as to the propriety of this step. Port Phillip, indeed, lay within the boundary of the New South Wales Government; and the home authorities did not contravene the act of Sir R. Bourke. In point of political justice, however, the morality of the Sydney powers became questionable by the mal appropriation of the revenues of the southern dependency to the aggrandisement of the middle district. They strove, in opposition to a royal order to that effect, to prevent the commanded separation of the two dis- tricts in matters pertaining to the sales of land, so that the land revenue might be poured into the coffers of the Sydney government, and be appropriated to their purposes. The governor, sustained by the nominees of the Crown, and by the expressed opinion of a public meeting of the colonists, refused to do justice to Port Phillip. The spoliation suffered by this province, therefore, may be estimated by a comparison of the revenue from all sources, and the expenditure up to 1842, when it appeared that the total revenue was £616,895 1 Is. 8d: total ex- penditure, 459,4115s 0£d.; leaving a balance off157,484 6s.7£d.: which was appropriated by New South Wales to its own pur- poses, Port Phillip losing to that extent. At the unanimous and enthusiastic meeting alluded to above a petition was adopted requesting the Imperial Government that the orders in council appointing the territorial boundaries of Port Phillip might be maintained, and that at the earliest possible period the separation of Port Phillip as a distinct colony should be effected. On the 1st March, 1841, a second meeting on this topic was held, at which an instrument was prepared, to be placed in the hands of the members of Parliament, in which the principles and statements of the Sydney magnates were com- bated, and the necessity for the separation of Port Phillip was powerfully attested. Three colonists, who contemplated a visit to England, were charged with the circulation of this docu- ment, and the general support of its intent; but the result of their efforts proved that Sydney influence was paramount, for the time, in Downing street. The discovery of Gipps Land, about this time, is another fact in the progress of the colony. The wreck of the steamer B 3 xxii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Clommel, at Corner Inlet, led to the commencement of a commu- nication by water with this part of the province. The land communication was opened up by the exploring efforts of Mr. MacMillan. This part of the colony, with its fertile soil, its numerous rivers, and its salubrious climate, sheltered by the Australian Alps from the hot winds, and by ranges eastward of it from extremes of cold, is destined to take no mean position as the resort of colonists desirous to settle perma- nently with their families. Among the more pressing exigencies of the rising colony was the necessity for a resident judge; and in this year Mr. John Walpole Willis, a puisne judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, received the appointment. He arrived in March, and the limits of his jurisdiction were declared to be co-extensive with that of the superintendency. His task was no easy one, owing to the license prevailing before the establish- ment of a Supreme Court; and this was further increased by the first monetary crisis, at that time fast hastening to its climax, which Port Phillip underwent. Mr. Willis was also eccentric, in many respects, and made many and powerful enemies, who eventually succeeded in inducing Mr. Latrobe, by an arbitrary act, to depose him from the exercise of his func- tions, in 1843. In October of this year, His Excellency Sir George Gipps visited Port Phillip, and held a levee on the 25th of the month, receiving addresses, &c. He visited Geelong and the surround- ing country the following day, was entertained at a public dinner on the 28th, and on the following day sailed for Sydney. Amongst other circumstances having an influence on the progress of the colony, the sale of special surveys, in accordance with the system prevalent in South Australia, may be named. By the payment into the Treasury of £5,120, a requisitionist could obtain a section of eight square miles in any part of the unreserved territory. In June, three sections in Gipps Land, three in the neighbourhood of Melbourne, one at Kilmore, and one at Port Fairy, were applied for; and these have become centres of agricultural effort from that period. While having to contend for territorial rights against the exactions of Sydney, tfie colony was further threatened with an aggression by the suggestion of the Land and Emigration Com- missioners, recommending the severance of the Portland Bay district, and its annexation to the colony of South Australia, as a means of enabling the latter to refund its debt to the Im- perial Government. This necessitated a meeting of the colo- nists, at which resolutions against the proposed alteration were carried. The publication of Sir Thomas Mitchell's narrative of his ex- pedition of Port Phillip had told with remarkable effect on the aspiring minds of multitudes in Britain, who, allured by the enticing prospects opened up in Australia Felix, as the distin- VICTOEIA. xxiii guished explorer had denominated this rich country, commenced a tide of emigration in 1839, which continued to increase till 1842. The Port Phillip mania was also strongly felt in Van Diemen's Land. The superior pastures of Port Phillip afforded facilities in the management of stock,which the older colonies did not possess. Prices rapidly rose. Stock was purchased in New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, and driven to the new settlement by hurrying competitors. Rumours of high profits awakened attention in Britain, and attracted immi- grants. Many of them brought sums of money which were accounted considerable capital in those days. The eager competition of the new colonists thus drawn from so many sources forced prices of stock and of all commodities to exorbitant rates. Land speculation ran high amongst the increasing multitudes, so that prices mounted from tens to thousands: and allotments that originally brought £40, were sold at £4,00 J. The interchanges of lands were rapid; the conveyance was slow, and the issue of Crown grants slower still. While the mania lasted, the factitious prosperity of the traders blinded them to the real condition of the purchasers, and consequently to their own; and, presuming on their fan- cied wealth, extravagance in business and in the style of living became the order of the day. Champagne breakfasts, suburban residences, and other similar ruinous modes of expending a fortune, prevailed. This order of things was at its height in 1840; and a universal crash was only delayed by the continued stream of immigration. The land fund, however, failed in 1841, and affected the inflocking of immigrants from the parent land; prices fell; depression and difficulties beame universal, and towards the close of 1842, the condition of the colony was one of wide-spread bankruptcy. The severe time of reckoning had come ; and before the commercial atmosphere was cleared, nearly 1400 insolvencies in Sydney and 300 in Melbourne were recorded in the space of three years. In the crisis of these depressions, new life was poured into the civic and political status of the colony by an Imperial Act, which provided for a partially representative government and for the incorporation of towns. In accor- dance with the provisions of this Act, Melbourne was, on the 1st of 1 'ecember, 1842, erected into a corporation; the town was divided into four wards; the election of councillors took place, and, on the 9th, the Town Council met, and chose Henry Condell, Esq , mayor; H. Condell and Andrew Russell, aldermen for six years; and H. W. Mortimer and W. Kerr, aldermen for three years. The Council, notwithstanding in- evitable favoritism, greatly benefited the city, and still con- tinues to increase the material prosperity and comfort of the inhabitants. The legislative provisions of the abovenamed Act came into practical operation in June, 1843. Prior to this, the whole xxiv HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. legislative and executive functions of the government were held by the governor, with a council of Crown nominees. Represen- tation under such a system was out of the question. By the new Act, however, a legislative council of thirty-six members, of whom twelve were to be nominees of the Crown, and the re- maining twenty-four to be elected by the colonists, was called into existence. The powers of this council were restricted to the making of laws not repugnant to those of England ; but the Crown retained the absolute control of the lands and their re- venue. The number of representatives allotted to Port Phillip was six. The representation thus obtained was unsatisfactory to the colonists. The members allotted were few in number, and the complaint became general that the interests of Port Phillip were swamped by those of New South Wales. At first, however, the sanguine colonists regarded the privilege as a boon of no small value, and indulged in the fallacious hope that at least political justice would, in such an assembly, be accorded to Port Phillip; but the earliest experience of its workin? proved that the revenues of the colony were to be appropriated to the older settlement, and that too with the apparent consent of our own representatives. The first election returned H. Condell, Esq., for the city, and Messrs. Ebden, Walker, Lang, Thomson, and Nicholson, for the district. Mr. Condell's election was contested by Mr. Curr; the contest assumed the form of Protestant and Catholic, and the triumph of Mr. Condell resulted in a riot. Some acts of violence were committed, the Riot Act was read and the military were called out before the mob was dispersed. Coincident in time with this event, the suspension of Judge Willis by his Excellency the Governor added another element of rancour to the bitter feuds then raging. Numerous influ- ential citizens considered themselves insulted and oppressed by his measures and demeanour, in which sentiment, as was supposed by some, his Honor the Superintendent partici- pated; but among the people generally he was held in esteem, and numerous addresses were presented to him when leaving these shores for England. The act of the Governor was declared by the home authorities to be illegal, and Justice Willis received a satisfactory compensation. In 1843, the first series of Australian Sketches, by Mr] Thomas McCombie (now the Hon. Thomas McCombie, M.L.C.),* of Melbourne, appeared in Tait's Edinburgh Maga- zine, and were the means of calling much attention to the colony: the work was republished in a separate form. In 1846, Mr. Westgarth's "Port Phillip" also issued from the Edinburgh press. Throughout the whole of 1843 the aspect presented by the city and its inhabitants was most cheerless. The appearance of the town was scattered, the thoroughfares were unformed 9 This gentleman has written a very elaborate history of Victoria, from which some of these facts are taken. VICTORIA. and studded with stumps of trees, and traversed by ravines, even in Collins-street, from which bullock drays had to be dug; and in one instance two children were drowned in the waters at the end of Klizabeth street. The faces of the citizens as they met in the streets seemed devoid of hope, a funereal gloom overspread them—no jolly, rollicking squatters now appeared among them; their sheep were worth at the most 4s. each; the stations did not pay expenses even to those who had not absolutely lost all title to them, of whom there were not a few. Wool was so low that it would hardly pay the expenses of shearing. Land and houses did not realise a tenth of their former value. Public confidence was destroyed. This lowest depth reached, the tide began to turn. Wool, the previous staple of the colony, was now to be supplemented by tallow as the next great article of colonial export. There had been a steady increase in the quantity of the former in each succeeding year. In the second year of the colony the export of wool was 175,000 lbs., in 1844 it amounted to 4,326,000 lbs. But in the incumbered condition of the squatters the resort to the "boiling down" system offered the prospect of imme- diate relief. There were at this time nearly two millions sheep in the district, so that whole flocks were driven to these esta- blishments, where the carcases were, by a steam process, compelled to yield their tallow, and the skins, bones, hoofs and refuse were disposed of at the readiest markets. The cattle were in like manner boiled down; and some progress made in beef curing, of parts that would not yield tallow. In the early part of 1844 the quantity of tallow exported was 429 tons. In a short time the squatters and cattle-owners were able to meet their liabilities and to wipe off incumbrances. Hence in 1846 there was an advance in prices for live stock. This threatened the tallow trade, but it was found to be too remunerative to be abandoned, so that in 1850 it had increased to an export of 4,489 tons. The discovery of gold, however, has caused so large an immigration, that the squatters find abundant sale for their surplus stock without driving them to the old slaughter-houses. Meantime the corporation was busy n their municipal duties; streets were formed and macadamized, pathways were kerbed, public buildings, churches and schools were erected, the city began to give notice that it intended to be a city. (See article on corporation). Just as the squatters were emerging from their pecuniary embarrassments, as above described, and began to assume to be "a power in the State," Sir George Gipps published his "Squatting Regulations" of the 2nd April, 1814. Previously, each squatter could hold any quantity of land by the payment of £10 annually; so that for such a nominal rental the holdings of some equalled a principality. The government proposed to establish an equitable charge in proportion to the HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. capabilities of the " runs," and that £2 10s. should be assessed on every additional 1000 sheep above 400 i, which the mini- mum £ 10 fee allowed; and these regulations were published by His Excellency without the knowledge and consent of the legislature This was offensive in two points: first, from its monetary pressure on men who had just emerged from over- whelming difficulties, and had still to struggle to maintain their position; and secondly, because, having obtained a partial representation, they were determined to uphold the liberties of the colony, and to subvert the oppressive govern- ment prerogative, so glaringly manifested in the mode of framing and publishing these "squatting regulations." The majority of the Legislative Assembly in Sydney were squatters themselves or intimately connected with squatters: and the uncontrolled administration of the Crown lands and their revenues by the executive, was considered by them as a political evil; they therefore asserted their claim to the land and revenues, while Sir George Gipps was equally firm in maintaining his prerogative. In June, 1844, a really public meeting was held ouside the Mechanics Institution, Collins- street, which was called "The Squatters' Meeti ig." Hither these gentlemen in large numbers rode in procession, and on this occasion resolutions were triumphantly carried condem- natory of the famous "squatting regulations." In Sydney these resolutions took effect in the formation of "the Pastoral Association," which, while admitting the reasonableness of an additional fee, protested against the principle and action of irresponsible authority Hence, the defence of personal inter- ests became mixed with the assertion of political rights, and the latter made it popular; and the association pursued its course till, in 847, it issued in the celebrated "Orders in Council," of which hereafter. Just about the commencement of these struggles in 1844 with the representatives of the Crown, Dr. Lang, one of the six Port Phillip members, moved in the Assembly—" That an address be presented to Her Majesty,praying that she will be gra- ciously peasedto direct that the requisite steps may be taken for the speedy and entire separation of the district of Port Phillip from the territory of New South Wales; and its erection into a separate and independent colony." Nineteen vot id against the six. Hence these framed a petition in January 1845, which was presented to His Excellency, to be forwarded for presenta- tion to Her Majesty. In answer, the Executive Council were instructed to examine these members and others on the subject, which having been done, they recommended the separation. As an expression of the colonists' appreciation of his labors, Dr. Lang was entertained at a public dinner in the QueenSs Theatre, Queen-street, in February, 1846, on an occasion of his visit to this district. Two remarkable occurrences happened during the year 1844. VICTORIA. xxvii A grand assembling of the aborigines was held to the north of the city in July. For days previous to this great event tribes came flocking from all quarters to this centre. The numbers were estimated at about 700. Some alarm was ex- perienced by the timid; but the whole purport of the meeting was a corroboree. A strange and wild scene was presented the fires around the city, the females with their opossum or kangaroo rugs folded so as to serve the purpose of a drum, on which they beat time to the dancers, who from sunset till near dawn sustained their laborious antics, companies of warriors from the various tribes succeeding each other, and keeping up the fun. The following October witnessed the overflow of the Yarra to an extent unknown to the aborigines. It was in a great measure owing to a south-westerly wind blowing strongly in at the Heads, and damming up the waters of the port; so that the heavy rains wi h which the river was charged could not escape. The city was insulated, the lower parts were flooded, and much damage inflicted on the surrou iding country. Immigration having ceased in consequence, as noted, of the failure of the land fund, and a considerable number of the laboring class having increased in wealth and possessions, assuming the position of masters, there was beginning to be felt a great dearth of serva ts; wages were rising in conse- quence, and still the requisite supply could not be obtained. In these circumstances the home Government formed the purpose of making the colony a place of secondary punishment for their convicts. These men, drafted from the peniten- tiaries of Britain, were to be landed as free men; free in every sense, except that they might not return to Britain. The Royal titorg9 imported the first cargo of these exiles to this colony in November, 1844. The transaction was a species of social smuggling, for it was kept in concealment that they were exiles until they were landed. Though there was an element of convictism, from the older colonies, in our midst, yet they were not recognised as such. The colony was free, and this attempt of the Government to reduce this happy position by any modification of their convict system, was deeply resented by all, except many of the squatters. Hence arose a contest between these and the general public. No doubt they did not desire such an addition to the population per »t, but they were in urgent want of shepherds, agricultural laborers and servants; and, unless they accepted this boon offered by the government, where, and how were they to obtain them'? The home Government ha i given a positive refusal to assist emigration; and the adjoining colonies could furnish only the more objectionable class of expirees. On the other hand the laboring class had no desire for a reduction in the rates of wages: and the other intelligent and respectable portion of the public felt that they might anticipate for them- xxviii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. selves and their children the worst evils of a convict class from such an element poured into the population. A meeting of squatters was held, at which they carried a resolution to the effect that it would be beneficial to Port Phillip to receive the exiles A counter meeting was held immediately after- wards, numerously attended, chiefly by the working classes, at which resolutions in condemnation of the course pursued by the English Government were carried. Mr. LaTrobe, on his own responsibility and at the request of the citizens, orderet the next vessel freighted with these objectionable emigrands to proceed to Sydney, and after some more vessels being refused, the attempt was abandoned by the imperial powers. In the following year, when immigration of the right stamp was resumed, the wreck of the first vessel, the Ual 'raqui, involving a loss of 414 persons, served to check the tide of emigration, as well as being a most serious and immediate loss to the colony. In furtherance of a scheme of emigration, the practical necessity for which was becoming daily more urgent, it had been proposed to pledge the Crown lands of New South Wales to raise a loan for this purpose. The rather expensive experience of Sydney politics as regarded this district, and of Sydney equity or iniquity respecting its interests, made it at once apparent that the Port Phillip territory would be alienated to raise funds for the supply of labor to the middle district; and would complicate the question of separation. A meeting was therefore held of the most influential colonists, in September, 1845, to petition the Queen against this unrighteous proposal. Resolutions also that a loan on its own lands, in aid of emigration, should be effected, were passed; and a delegate, A. Cunningham, Esq., was appointed to proceed to England to secure these purposes. The chairman was in- structed to forward immediately a copy of the proceedings to the Secretary for the Colonies, and request him not to act on the opposed proposal till the arrival of the delegate. Some of the surface movements in the social and political life of the colonists, already briefly noticed, will have indicated the conflicting views which result in the formation of parties in a state, as now concentrating themselves into definite spheres of action. It will be necessary, therefore, that a more distinct statement in relation to these be made towards a clear understanding of some subsequent movements. With many eminent and admirable qualities as a gentleman and lieu- tenant-governor, Mr. LaTrobe evidenced, both in his personal intercourse, and his official labors, that his predilections were not merely Conservative but Tory to an extreme. He regarded with alarm -and disgust the republican sentiments that were being diffused and strengthened in the community; mistakenly fearing that they were incompatible with a firm loyalty. With such views, and thinking the colony was too immature VICTORIA. for the possession and judicious use of free institutions, he was in heart opposed to the measures directed towards their at- tainment; and in conduct, without openly opposing men and measures, he availed himself of his official position to main- tain his private views and to support prerogative. It accorded with these sentiments, and was promotive of his continuance in the office of superintendent, to be as sparing as possible of the moneys voted for public objects in Port Phillip, which though little more than a moiety of her revenue, were permitted to lapse year after year, as unexpended, into the coffers of Sydney. In short he played into the hands of Sydney, and may be considered as a party on her side. The squatters, again, by the question of the exiles, appear as a party, who, in the protection and furtherance of their own interests, stand opposed to what may be regarded as those of the general public, and their rights subsequently brought them into conflict with the more general public on the land question. The Catholic interest, as a politico religious party, showed out in the first election and the riot then occurring. In these earlier times also an Orange Institution and anti-Catholic feeling amongst some citizens, called this into unhappy exercise, which became evident in 1846, when the foundation stone of Princes Bridge and of the Hospital was laid. It was a day of general rejoicing; a procession was formed of all the sectional ranks, trades, officials and orders. The Freemasons had the direction of the ceremony, Mr. LaTrobe laid the stone of Princes Bridge, and Dr. Palmer (now Sir J. Palmer) that of the Hospital. The Catholic clergy refused to take part in the scene on some sectarian ground: and there had like to have been a disturbance. But a few months afterwards, the smouldering discontent burst into a flame, when the Orange Society pro- posed to celebrate the Battle of the Boyne. An armed attack was made on their place of assembly, which was repelled. Several were severely wounded in the conflict. That night and the following day the city was kept in a state of alarm. The Catholic party assembled in arms on the Flagstaff-hill, and after the magistrates with the soldiers had stopped the assem- bling of the Orangemen, they succeeded in inducing the other party to disband. The building of the Protestant Hall, at the corner of Little Collins and Stephen-streets, for the holding of Orange festivals, was a result on the one side; while on the other, it called into existence St. Patrick's Hall, Bourke-street, west; which subsequently was hired by the Government as the first place of assembly for the Legislative Council. This ele- ment of party strife is still seen in operation in elections, and in matters of change of ministry. "The Orders in Council" were issued by the Imperial Go- vernment, on 9th March, 1847, and were received by the squatting interest with enthusiasm. These were due to the XXX HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. exertions of the Pastoral Association, and had little influence on the position of the squatters of the middle district, but involved vast changes on the side of Port Phillip. These regulations divided the Crown lands into three sections, the settled, the intermediate and the unsettled districts. The first class comprised 25 miles around Melbourne, 15 miles around Geelong, and 10 miles around Portland and Alberton, with a few other reservations. The second comprised the three existing counties, Bourke, Grant and Normanby, surrounding Melbourne, Geelong and Portland, to which were added 21 new counties, then defined, which together comprised nearly half the territorial area of the district. The third division comprised the other half of the colony, containing lands of every quality. The regulations conferred on the squatter a pre-emptive right according to the following terms:—For the unsettled district, £2 10s. annually is the rent for the area required to depasture 1000 sheep; these lands are open to pur- chase by the occupant at £1 per acre, within the term of the 14 years' lease. At the expiration of the lease, the lands may be put up for sale, if the lessee declines his pre-emption. For the intermediate district, leases not exceeding 8 years, with pre-emptive right, but subject to sale at the close of each year after 60 days' notice. In the settled district leases of one year, with power to depasture on unsold land. These regulations have created a resistance that still exists, by conferring privileges on the squatters that conflict with the general interest of the people. The squatters are in actual possession: and by their pre-emptive rights might defy intruders, so that every onward movemmt becomes an encroachment on some of them. At the period when the "regulations" came into operation, the squatters had, by surmounting previous difficul- ties, become in regard to wealth an independent body, upon whom were conferred invidious distinctions and needless bene- fits, and who, by the changes ensuing on the gold discovery, are now placed in the position of an unpopular and grasping confederacy. Still, it must be borne in mind, that at the time of the gold discovery, the greater portion of the squatting stations had changed hands; and that the new occupants had given a money valuation for the lands over which their flocks depastured; besides which, their occupation formed the chief source, the mainspring of our colonial wealth, up to the time the mineral resources of the land were developed; then, there were 1000 licensees of Crown lands, employing 20,000 de- pendants, with a live stock of 30,000 horses, 400,000 cattle, and upwards of 6,000,000 sheep. That men in such a position had and have peculiar rights, who will dispute? That they should present claims for compensation is but reasonable, and that some equitable system, to meet their just demand should be devised, is most desirable. In the present and prospective position of the colony, where such immense ti act i of land are VICTORIA. available for agricultural purposes to our increa-ing popula- tion, the squatting system occupying so large a surface, is impracticable. The political and social inequality created by conferring long and exclusive leases on certain members of the community must he abolished; and the pre-emptive right mu-t bo suppressed, as an economic and a political injustice in the sale of lands immensely below their value. The advent of the Rev. Charles Perry, D.D., in the com- mencement of 1848, and his installation as first Bishop of Melbourne, may be regarded as the first actual step in the separation of the colony from New South Wa'ej. His diocese comprised tho Epi copalian community throughout the fouthei n di trict; and thereby the ecclesiastical relations of this denomination were transferred from the Bishop of Sydney to a local ecclesiastic. Bv this event also the "town" thence- f rth became the "city" of Melbourne. The great politico-ecclesiastical question of Voluntaryism, which has lately occupied so much of the labors of our senators on the 53 d clause of the Constitution Bill, was initiated as a suhject of controversy, by the Rev. A. Morison, the only Inde- pendent minister in the colony, durSng the following month of May, preiching and publishing four lectures on the book of "Revelation," in which he handled the subject of "State-aid" unsparingly. As the lectures we e delivered at a time when great quiet pervaded all circles, and no topic of public interest was being agitated, they furnished occasion of universal taUi; and a most amusing degree of excitement was pr duced bv so simple a matter, the rev. gentleman obtaining a limited measure t f applau e from tome quaiters, and an unmeasured store of condemnation from those in favor of State-aid. It was the fir^t war-note, however, on a question which has become the motto of a p olitical party still at work. The political atmosphere meantime was gathering clouds, which menaced the position of the superintendent, Mr. LaTrobe. The Town Council had already placed themselves in an attitude of hostility towards him, in consequence of his endeavour, privately, to contravene their request to the Sydney Government, that the unused funds granted for Port Phillip should be entrusted to their care for purposes of public im- provements. Mr. LaTrobe's correspondence, injuriously re- flecting on the character and prudence of the Port Phillipians, was published; and as a consequence, in June, 1848, the Council, upon the motion of Mr. M'Combie, agreed to the fol- lowing resolution:—" That the Legislative Committee be in- structed to prepare an humble petition to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, praying for the removal of His Honor Charles Joseph LaTrobe, Esq., from the office of Superinten- dent of the District of Port Phillip, on account of his syste- matic mismanagement of the money voted for the service of the province, his neglect of public works of paramount xxxii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. consequence, and his repeated breaches of faith in his official transactions with this Council, in matters of high public importance." In order to back up this resolution, a great public meeting was held opposite the Court House, attended by 3000 persons, and presided over by Mr. M'Combie, and a peti- tion for the recal of the Superintendent carried by acclamation. The Secretary of State acknowledged both memorials, but refused to disturb Mr. LaTrobe in his government. The period of five years, for which the Port Phillip represen- tatives had been elected to serve in the Legislative Assembly at Sydney, having closed, the writ for another election was issued for July following. The bitter mockery of representa- tion, by which our honorable six were haplessly compelled to countenance the spoliation of their province, had become so galling, that some of them refused to stand again for election. Mr. J. V. F. I/. Foster was put in nomination for the district, but, there being no other hand fide candidates for the five seats, the electors present prevailed upon him to withdraw; no candidates were placed in nomination, and the writ was returned. At the nomination for the city of Melbourne, five days later, the Government had prevailed on Mr. Foster to come forward, in order that the yoke of servitude might be replaced on their unwilling shoulders. The Government placed Mr. Foster in nomination, and he would have been returned, had not Earl Grey been placed in nomination against him. This was done to show to the world that representation in Sydney was a farce. The return of Earl Grey was carried by a triumphant majority; a letter was sent to the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies by Mr. M'Combie, the proposer of Earl Grey, explaining the whole of the circumstances of the peculiar case. This act of the Melbournites found no sympathy at Geelong, where a meeting was held, that the electors might express publicly their condemnation of such a procedure. In order to understand this difference of opinion, it may be well, in this place, to offer some explana- tion of the causes leading to opposition between Geelong and Melbourne. Geelong was a sort of centre to the squatting interest. Its growth and prosperity depended wholly on the wool trade, and supplies to the stations; and it claimed thus early to be the "commercial pivot" of the colony. A pleasant rivalry, therefore had long subsisted between the governmental and squatting metropolises, which had its play on all kinds of occasions. The squatters' policy, as before suggested, differed widely from the general interests of the people; and the weight of their influence was ordinarily given to the Govern- ment side of all questions that did not immediately implicate their own interest. The Government found it necessary to have bona fide, members returned for Port Phillip, since if two were deficient, they could not act. Geelong was therefore wheedled,—was made the place of nomination for a new writ VICTORIA. xxiii of election. Five local candidates were put in nomination, and five British peers by the opposition, but the Geelongites triumphed. The emigration and separation movements were the absorb- ing topics of the closing periods of this year (1848), and through the following two years. The inequality of the sexes in the colony, being in the ratio of three to one, had led to schemes for promoting female immigration. One means had been opened to the immigration agents in Britain whereby this want of the colony and a pressure on the surplus population of the home countries could at once be met, in sending to the colony the Irish female orphans, who were poured into the colony to the number of 2,219, during the eighteen months terminating 1st July, 1849. The colony, however, as usual, suffered a pecuniary wrong in this transaction. The whole of the expenses were defrayed from our immigration fund, and neither the Treasury nor parish funds in the home countries were laid under contributions to aid in furtherance of this project. These girls were uneducated and untrained, and universal complaints were heard in domestic circles of the uselessness of the imported article; it was unmarketable. The great majority were said to be Roman Catholics and a national and sectarian prejudice was called into action. The opponents to their introduction declared that they were likely to become the wives of a people of whom four-fifths were Protestant, and excited some clamor on the subject. The Rev. J. D. Lang, D.D., the while was in Britain, making most strenuous efforts in a scheme of emigration that contem- plated the rectification of this error, as well as the equally for- midable one into which the squatters had fallen. He saw that in the present progress of population the squatters would form an aristocracy, and their dependants a kind of serfdom; and as the former were in a great measure indifferent whence they procured their laborers, be they convicts, Chinese, South Sea Islanders, or any other, so that they obtained cheap labor, his object was to promote an emigration of small capitalists, who should form a yeomanry in the land. He put in operation all agencies to arouse the attention of such persons in Britain and Ireland to the advantages offered by Port Phillip and Moreton Bay. By the newspapers, public lectures, and such means, he labored to further this scheme of immigration; and, to accom- plish this object, he besieged the official authorities in England, but encountered only obstruction. Abandoning hope in this direction, he gave these authorities a scathing benediction, and set at work a scheme of emigration that should be self- paying. By means of these labors, the Zarprnt was sent out in 1849 with the right class of emigrants, which was followed by the Travanccr,t, and finally he arrived himself in the early part of I850, in the Ciifton, having, among others, four minis- ters and twenty-two divinity students as emigrants. Dr. Lang XXxiv HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. experienced much difficulty in these labors, for being unable to meet some of the responsibilities he incurred in these patriotic efforts, he suffered an incarceration for debt in the Melbourne gaol during May, 1850. Another element, which has strengthened the framework of society among us, was the German emigration. On 11th February, 1849, the first ship, the Godeffroy, followed in a short time by two others, the Dockenhaden and Wappaus, intro- duced about 1000 of these useful artizans and agriculturists to the colony. Committees of German emigration cared for them, both in Melbourne and Geelong. A further addition to our immigrants was aided by the Society for the Promotion of Emigration, similar to Dr. Lang's in the class of persons to be aided, formed in 1848 by some members of Parliament and other influential persons, who were desirous of directing the tide of emigration from the United States to the Australian possessions. This society had in 1850 assisted 3000 emigrants to proceed to different settle- ments in Australia. The total of emigration to Port Phillip, by means of the various societies and agencies for 1849, was 9,728. The transportation question still continued to be agitated. The view which the British Government were disposed to take of this was that the question was one which solely concerned themselves, and therefore one in which the colonists could not be allowed a voice. To the colonists, however, it was vital, as the real evils of the system pressed on them alone, by the con- tinued stream of pollution thus flowing into society. The colonial minister intimated that the requests of the colonists should be so far respected, that transportation of criminals to New South Wales should be discontinued; and that Van Die- men's Land was to be made the chief receptacle of convicts for the future. In this purpose they found a ready accomplice in Sir W. Denison, the Governor of Van Diemen's Land, who supported the wishes of the Imperial Government in opposition to the earnest remonstrances of his people. By extensive issues of tickets-of-leave and other means, he facilitated the removal of the prisoners from Van Diemen's to Port Phillip, as the nearest and most exposed dependency, so that a constant influx of those obnoxious colonists was poured on our shores, with the intention of relieving the penal colony of its over- whelming criminal population. During 1849, the ships freighted with the exiles entered our ports, but were invariably ordered to proceed to Sydney by the superintendent, who deserved the best thanks of the public for his resolution on this point: though the colony is, perhaps, more deeply indebted to Sir Charles FitzRoy for saving it from pollution, who, being at this time in Melbourne on a visit, in reply to a deputation which waited on him, agreed to order the Randolph, then daily expected, to proceed to Sydney; for which he was severely VICTORIA. XXXV censured in New South Wales. Some of the settlers at Portland Bay, however, resolved to have their wants supplied from this source, and addressed a petition to His Honor, requesting that the exiles should be sent to them instead of being furthered to Sydney, and received in answer a flat refusal, Mr. LaTrobeSs moral sense agreeing with the general feeling of the people on this point. A monster anti-transportation meeting was held on the 18th July, to urge on the Government the necessity of taking measures against Sir W. Denison's policy in granting pardons on the condition that the pardoned immediately left that colony; and the deputation who waited on His Honor found him all readiness to co-operate with them to prevent the evils thus threatened. This was followed by a similar meeting at Geelong; and on the 20th August a second monster meeting was held, at which a petition to Her Majesty was adopted, reprobating Earl Grey's convict policy, and setting forth the intolerable evils inflicted on a free people by the Government persisting in this course against the strongly expressed views of the colonists. / In January, 1849, a public meeting was held in Melbourne, for the purpose of asserting the right of the squatters and tenant farmers to the elective franchise. The purpose of the meeting was effectively opposed by some, who, while admit- ting the equity of the principle asserted, denied its justice in the special case then sought to be supported. The defeated squatters fled to their stronghold, Geelong, and were successful at meetings held there on this subject. His Excellency Sir C. FitzRoy paid the colony a visit in March of this year. The customary address and honours suit- able to a vice-regal visit followed His Excellency had a narrow escape from an alarming accident while being driven to Jolimont. Reports reached the colony, at various time-i throughout the year, of the purpose of the Imperial Parliament to take into consideration the question of the government of the Austra- lian colonies. These rumors took a settled form, when it became known that Mr. Roebuck had asked leave (on 24th May) to bring in a bill on this subject; but withdrew his motion when informed by Mr. Hawes, from his place, that after Whitsunday holidays he was prepared to introduce a bill to give local self-government to the colonies. It was known that the separation of Port Phillip would be an article of the proposed bill; and in anticipation of the event, Her Majesty had been pleased, the preceding year, to signify that she would confer the high distinction of her name, Victoria, on the youngest of her colonies. The hope thus excited of a speedy liberation from our thraldom was doomed to disap- pointment. In expectation of the event, however, Mr. Mac- kinnon called for documents, &c., in the Legislative Council, xxxvi HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. with a purpose to move for an adjustment of expenditure between Sydney and Port Phillip, so as to obtain a refunding of the vast sums of which the latter had been deprived. The spoliation had at that time reached the formidable amount of £353,163 2s 6Jd.; but an offset of £86,280 for the expenses of general government was made, leaving, nevertheless, the respectable balance of £268,882 2s. 6Jd. as the claim of this province. The golden opinions Mr LaTrobe had earned for himself by his resolute action in the matter of convicts and exiles were suddenly dissipated, and a bitter animosity aroused against him, by a letter to the Secretary for the Colonies coming to hand, in which he expressed views unfavorable to free insti tutions being conferred on the colony. His sentiments may be gathered from the following extract - " That any form of constitution which may be proposed for the colony, for some years to come at least, which takes the government out of the hands of a governor, executive, and nominee council, and substitutes for the latter a representative body, will be ill- suited to its real state and position, and will render the administration of its government as a distinct colony, upon whom soever it may devolve, a task of exceedingly great diffi- culty and responsibility." This culminating offence destroyed the prestige of his personal virtues, and subjected him to suspicion and hostility throughout the whole of his subsequent administration. As the delay of separation was protracted, meetings were held in November and December to adopt measures to stimulate the Parliament in carrying on the bill more vigorously. The discovery of gold in California in 1848, drew off many colonists from Australia. Port Phillip suffered the loss of only 466. But on the 31st of January, 1849, the first announcement of the discovery of gold in our province was made by a shepherd furnishing some specimens for assay to Mr. Brentani. The Py- renees was spoken of as the locality, and exploring parties who visitedthe spot declared the highly promising auriferous quality of the region. The excitement consequent soon died away, as a report gained credit that the specimens produced in Melbourne were manufactured. But a project of greater promise was the mining of coal, which was resumed this year. It had been long known that this valuable article of commerce existed in the country; and exertions by associations and private individuals were directed to Western Port, where it was reported a workable seam had been found. The law- officer (Mr. Croke) had declared, however, that permission to mine could not be given; but, upon reference of the matter to Sydney, the permission was granted; and in June a company was formed at a public meeting, £7u0 subscribed to meet pre- liminary expenses and a work initiated, which was stopped only by the discovery of the goldfields and the changes conse- VICTORIA. xxxvii quent thereon. Among the events of this year was the incor- poration of Geelong, its promotion to the rank of a free ware- housing port, and the establishment in it of a circuit court of justice. At first there was a proposal to make it an exceptional case, by giving the Government a power over its procedure, hut it was finally incorporated on the same terms as the City of Melbourne. In the month of November the heavy floods occasioned serious damage in and about Melbourne, and throughout the district. Great improvements were being effected in the city through the operation of the building societies. The rental was estimated at £100,000. The population, including Richmond, was esti- mated at 25,000; that of the whole district 60,000, nearly double the number for 1846. Social distinctions in the titles of prelates were a matter of controversy in the Uni ed Kingdom that extended i's influence to the colony. The Roman Catholic prelates contended for the extension of the title of lordship, and equal status with the Anglican prelates. The titular rank of a bishop was derived from his seat among the peers in the House of Lords. A special clause was inserted in the (Irish) Act of Union, pro- viding for the Irish bishops the possession of the honor which they previously enjoyed in the Irish House of Parliament. The Romish bishops were grieved that they should not enjoy the same titles. Hence the Imperial Parliament provided that in Ireland and the Colonies, the title as a courtesy should be extended alike to Anglican and Romish prelates; but the Government of New South Wales was instructed that the Roman archbishop in that colony should not take precedence of the English bishop, nor should any Roman bishop be recog- nised under any local title that had been bestowed in the Anglican Church. The year 1850, therefore, opened with the controversy between the Bishop of Melbourne and the Eight Rev. A. Goold, Roman Catholic bishop, on this subject, which has not since been mooted in the colony. In February, a monster meeting was held to express the sympathy of the colony with the Cape colonists in their resist- ance of convictism, that was attempted to be forced on them. This was a result, not only of admiration of the boldness of the colonists that expelled pollution from their shores, at the risk of apparent treason to the parent State, but was contem- plated as a means of strongly impressing the home Govern- ment with the determination of the Colony to resist in like manner the convict policy pursued towards itself. In March, a horticultural society was established, and its first exhibition was held in the Botanical Gardens. The rapid extension of Melbourne by the formation of new streets, lanes, &c., while no adequate provision was made for sewerage, and these thoroughfares becoming quagmires by the c* xxxviii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. constant traffic of the citizens, raised the question of the sanitary condition of the city into urgent importance. The Municipal Council held meetings, and on the 18th June a public meeting was held to receive the City Surveyor's (Mr. Blackburn) report. The estimated cost of works necessary was £100,000. The Council petitioned the Queen that a moiety of the territorial revenue should be placed at its dis- posal for these purposes, and in the meantime it was resolved to commence with the central portion of the city. Those who walk round the city at the present time could not form an idea of the alteration then commenced, by which ruts and gullies have given place to present order and safety. In this month also, the foundation stone of the Benevolent Asylum was laid, amidst an assemblage of 10,000 persons, A procession was formed, and the customary holiday enjoy- ments were sought by the citizens. The harmony of the occasion was slightly disturbed by the opposition of the Roman Catholic clergy, some of whose prejudices were vio- lated, and they threatened to withd.aw the support of their communion from the institution. A novel class of immigrants arrived in the Culloden, in July, "the distressed needle-women." These were the numerous class of destitute females accumulated in London, who being objects of sympathy and beneficent exertion, some under the humane project of the Hon. Sydney Herbert, were shipped off to Port Phillip, and were immediately engaged af domestic servants. About this time, a very exciting event occurred on its becoming known that Mr. Henry Moor, one of our representa- tives in the Legislative Council and Registrar of the Diocese, had introduced two bills into the Assembly—one the Church Temporalities Bill, and the other the Church Discipline Bill. The excitement and opposition to these were universal. The clergy and members of the Church of England felt aggrieved, that instruments having such an important bearing on their own position, even if they had been advan- tageous, were attempted to be obtained without their previous knowledge and consent; while the members of other religious denominations complained of a clause in the Temporalities Bill, which enacted that a grant might be made toward the erection of any church out of the portion of the money appro- priated by the State to the maintenance of religion which belonged to the Church of England, upon the sum of £100 being raised by voluntary contributions; whereas, as the law then stood, no grant could be made toward a place of worship of any religious denomination, until £300 had been subscribed. This clause merely regulated the dittribution of Church of England moneys; but the people supposed that it would give that church an advantage over all others in the colony. Many were also very indignant at the provision of the Church VICTORIA. yyyiSt Discipline Bill, for erecting an episcopal ecclesiastical court, with power to summon witnesses and to administer oaths. Public meetings were held in Geelong; and in August, the Mayor presided over a public meeting in Melbourne, at which, while condemning the bills and all connected with the introduction of them, there was a very free ventilation of the question of the severance of the Church, in all its sections, from the State. The bills were withdrawn, on the proposal for a second reading being opposed. Immediately after this excitement, the first draft of the Colonies Bill, having passed the Imperial Parliament in May, was published, and measures were talked of to celebrate the approaching event of separation in a manner suitable to its importance. On the 28th August, the first public meeting for establish- ing gas works was held, at which it was affirmed that the time had now arrived when the introduction of gas was necessary, and a committee was organised The Rev. J. Allen had awakened an interest on the subject, and delivered lectures proving that we possessed all the facilities of supply, and that the project could be executed with advantage to all parties concerned. The company obtained land at the west end of Collins-street, hut ultimately removed to the swamp; and after years of delay, and a large expenditure, have admirably succeeded. The project of an universal exhibition in London had set the active spirits among us at work, and an industrial exhi- bition was erected, with a view of stimulating improvements and discoveries in developing the capabilities of the colony. The act of the licensing bench, in limiting the number of licensed victuallers and suppressing disorderly houses of resort , occasioned a conflicting movement among this class of colo- nists; but the moral sense of the community was on the side of the magistrates, and they generally approved of the mea- sures then introduced. In September, a meeting of 2000 male adults was held opposite the Police Office, presided over by the Mayor. The object of the "monster meeting" was to petition the legis- lature against the importation of criminals of every class, and upon any terms whatever, into the colony; and to exprest public sympathy with Van Diemen's Land, and an opinion against the whole system of criminal transportation. On November 12th, the announcement was made public that on the previous night the intelligence of the passing, by royal assent, of the Australian Colonies Bill had buen brought by the Lyaander. The rejoicings were universal, and extended over three days. Prince's Bridge was opened with a grand procession, the city was illuminated, public thanksgiving in the churches was offered, dinners, fancy balls, fireworks, balloons, and every possible mode of giving vent to the gladness of a people devised, and even the establishment of a zl HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. commemorative annual fair proposed: and the year closed, after the lull of this excitement, in the calm anticipation of the practical working of the privileges conferred upon us. In the commencement of 1851 the transportation question presented a formidable aspect in the formation of the Austra- lian League. It had its origin in Van Diemen's Land, where the bitterest fruits were being gathered; and delegates were sent to Port Phillip and Sydney, to organise a moral force which should effectually influence the Imperial Government. The Rev. John West and W. Weston, Esq.. arrived on 19th January, and an impressive meeting was held in the QueenSs Theatre on the 1st of the following month, when the "League" was inaugurated, which tended to the ultimate settling of the question. The 6th of the same month was a day of terror. Black Thursday will be memorable in the Colony for the desolations of fire that swept the country, destroying property and lives. The benevolent feeling of the colonists was stimulated for the sufferers, and at a meeting in Geelong £1,100, and at one in Melbourne £1,600 were raised to alleviate the distress thus caused. The discovery of gold at Bathurst, New South Wales, had acted as a counteractive to the Californian emigration, but operated to the prejudice of Port Phillip, in drawing off a multi- tude to that locality. This stimulated the desire of finding a gold-field in the latter province, and in June the first reliable report of a discovery in the Plenty Ranges produced great excitement. Bat prospecting parties were abroad in various directions; and as the Plenty diggings were not very success- ful, a meeting was held in June, at which it was pro- vided that 200 guineas should be awarded to the discoverer of a remunerative gold-field, and in the course of time reports came of such discoveries in various localities. The 1st of July, being the day appointed by the Home Authorities for the Act of Separation to take effect, the Super- intendent, Mr. LaTrobe, assumed the title of Lieutenant-Go- vernor of Victoria; he and the official staff were sworn in, the first levee was held, and rejoicing was general for the separa- tion and independence of Victoria. St. Patrick's Hall was rented as the Parliament House, and after the elections the house met for the first time, on 11th November, 1851, Speaker and Chairman of Committees appointed, days and hours of meeting arranged, and in an assemblage of the beauty and fashion of the city, the Governor delivered his first speech. During the previous month the Ballaarat diggings had filled with astonishment and expectation the minds of all; Geelong and Melbourne were deserted of their male population—all handicraft had ceased, and in a few weeks 10,000 swarmed at Golden Point. While the Council was first assembling, Mount Alexander diggings were reported as far surpassing Ballaarat. VICTORIA. Xli The report of these rich gold-fields spreading far and wide, immediately produced that vast immigration from all quarters, which may be estimated by the fact, that when at its height, 10,000 immigrants were actually, in one week, landed at Mel- bourne. The quinquennial census which had come off in March of this year shewed that the population of Port Phillip was 80,000, of which 23,000 were in Melbourne and 8,000 in Geelong; but a year sufficed to nearly double this number. The constitution of the new Assembly was at first composed of two-thirds elected members, and one-third of the nominees of the Crown; half of these nominees being office-holders, and half unofficial. The influx of population necessitated an increase of representatives, but its relative proportions were preserved. This form of representation in a single house, con- tinued till November, 1856, when a new form of government by double chambers was brought into operation. In the first session the subject of prayer in the House was contested, and lost by a majority of one. As the Executive had taken charge of the gold-fields, and appointed commissioners, regulated license fee, and established an escort, a considerable increase of the revenue followed. The Executive therefore were disposed to pay all the expenses arising from the gold-fields. But as salaries had to be increased, the representatives refused to authorise more than the sums placed on the estimates, demanding of the Executive the overplus payments from the gold revenue. This was the next great contest, and the representatives triumphed on the gold question. This was settled in the next session, by the transference of the funds and administration of the gold-fields to the Assembly. The customs also were placed under their control. The land revenues had heretofore been appropriated in half to emigra- tion purposes, but the home Government now placed the retained moiety at the disposal of the Colonial Legislature, a sum of £300,000. As an ultimate boon, the Legislature was called to consider what alterations were considered necessary or desirable to be effected in the whole system for the utmost advantage of the colony. This was not owing to any special steps taken in the colony to bring about any change in its general constitution, but to the political phases of New South Wales whioh led to an organic reconstruction in both colonies. The Legislative Council in New South Wales, expiring in 1851 before the separation of Port Phillip, had adopted, on the motion of Mr. William C. Wentworth, a strongly worded remonstrance against the incomplete form of Representative Government, and the inadequate control of their financial affairs which had been hitherto conceded to the colonists. The remonstrance which had been the legacy of one Council, was entered upon as the heritage of its successor. Mr. Went- worth again moved and carried it. It was transmitted to England, presented and read at the table in the House of xlii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Commons as a remarkable document. The attention excited by the colonies stimulated the effect which the political remon- strances of New South Wales had produced. The British Government acquiesced in the demands of that colony, and, unsolicited, proffered to the neighboring colonies the same form of government which was granted to New South Wales. The type proposed was a government through two houses of legislature; and the colonies were requested to deliberate upon the subject, and transmit the results to England. The form of government, selected by the Legislative Council for Victoria, was based on two houses, both elected by the people. For the purposes of forming the Legislative Council or Upper House, the colony was subdivided into six provinces, to each of which five members were allotted,—one member in each province to retire at the end of two years. The member lowest on the poll in each district to retire first, and his place to be supplied by election. The freehold qualification of an elector for the Council was to be property worth ,£1000, or worth annually £100. Retired officers, barristers, solicitors, clergymen, and leaseholders to the amount of £100 were also to have votes. The Legislative Assembly was to be composed of sixty members, elected bythirty seven districts. The duration of the Assembly was to be five years; the qualification of electors was to be freehold property worth £50 in the whole, or worth £5 a year; or leasehold of £10 annually; or salary of £100 annually; or the possession of a license to occupy Crown lands for the space of twelve months. The whole of the revenues of the colony were to form one fund, to be administered under Parliamentary sanction within the colony by a Governor acting on the advice of responsible officers; and all appointments to office within the colony (except those of the responsible officers themselves), were to be made by the Governor, with the advice of his Executive Council. The British Government acquiesced in the propositions of the colonists, and a short statute was enacted to enable the Queen to assent to the bills sent home. The announcement of the Queen's assent reached Victoria in the end of the year 1855, but more than a year was suifered to elapse before the provisions of the new form of government were brought into operation. On the 21st November, 1856, the two houses of legislature were convened by proclamation of the Acting Gov- ernor, General Edward Macarthur; and from that date, there- fore, Responsible Government may be held to have been inaugurated. Reverting to the second session of our first parliament, another topic of fierce debate was the State-aid question. £6,000 was the sum allotted at that time in aid of religion, for distribution among all who would accept it. The purport of the debate was to expunge this amount from the estimates, but it resulted in the amount being increased to £30,000, and VICTORIA. when the new constitution was framed, the 63rd clause made the sum £50,000. A vigorous effort was made by the opposi- tionists in 1857, to expunge this clause, which was carried by a small majority in the Legislative Assembly, but ultimately rejected by the Upper House; so that it is still the law of the land. A committee of enquiry sat during this session on the sub- ject of education. The feeling prevailing in the house was in favor of the National Education system. But as the "De- nominational " was in the ascendant, and dissatisfaction with both were expressed by the parties examined by the com- mittee, they concluded to recommend assistance to be given to "public schools." There was a vote also of £50,000 to commence the Melbourne University. The squatting question was one of great interest, and became one of strong partizanship, because the squatting interest, together with the nominees, could command a ma- jority in the Council. The demands for the unlocking the lands were urgent, the difficulties of surveying were great, and the Orders in Council withstood the appropriation of the lands around the gold-fields. Hence the popular representatives requested the Government to issue leases under the Orders in Council for the intermediate districts, with a view to have them opened to public sale; but an amendment was carried which embraced the whole Orders in Council, and consequently the unsettled districts. Public meetings were held, and the Government and Council were condemned, so that the whole question had to be remitted to the home Government. The total revenue for 1851 was £380,000, but when the year 1852 closed, the revenue had reached £1,577,000, consequently the succeeding year witnessed a lavish expenditure, as there seemed scarcely a possibility of exhausting the income. The resignation of Mr. LaTrobe and the appointment of a suc- cessor occurred, and in the interval between the departure of one and the arrival of the other, Sir R. Nickle administered the affairs as Acting-Governor. It was a high day on which Sir C. Hotham landed; the cordial and ostentatious reception that awaited him was in some measure due to the adverse feeling towards his predecessor, as well as to his own high repute. But Victoria had then attained the height of prosperity, and the tide had already turned. Speculation had been rampant, the old settlers, greatly disturbed by the altered state of things, had gone off in crowds, the enormous revenues derived by sales, rents, &c., of their fortunate early days enabling them to live luxuriantly as absentees. Sir C. Hotham set himself to the task of personally ascertaining the true state of public accounts, and in 1854 presented to the country and its govern- ment a deficiency of income to expenditure of £1,085,000. The budget for 1855 shewed the still more alarming deficiency of £2,836,000 to meet public engagements and wants. Much xliv HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA of this was caused by the engagements and public works undertaken prior to Sir Charles Hotham taking office, and the Colonial Secretary, Mr. J. V. F. L. Foster, to whose misma- nagement it was in a great measure attributed, had to resign office. Mr. W. C. Haines was appointed his successor, and as the Council refused to increase the taxation, he had to reduce the estimates for 1855 from £4,101,293 to £2,388,816, and the colony soon began to rectify its mistakes. The social changes wrought by the gold discovery were ex- tensive and thorough, so much so that Port Phillip is a phase of society as widely different from Victoria as can be conceived. "Boultversement" is the only word that will adequately describe the change. The employed were of greater importance than the employers. The excesses and extravagance of the diggers are indescribable. Life became a riot, and its courtesies were in a great measure, disregarded. The immense immi- gration swallowed up the old residents, the most respectable and wealthy of whom, as s ated, became absentees. The offscourings of the adjoining colonies were poured into our midst. In 1855 there were twelve gold-fields; four, viz., Anderson's Creek, Ballaarat, Mount Alexander, and Bendigo, were discovered in 1851; the Ovens in 1852; the M'lvor and Goulburn in 1853; and the remainder in 1854: over these the immigrants spread. But the great evil was the influx of the Van Diemen's Land expirees, who were liberated by the policy of Sir W. Denison. Bushranging and every species of villany were resorted to by them, which was carried on in every part of the country, and even in the cities, where "sticking-up" became a common occurrence. Five of these desperadoes took possession of the St. Kilda road, within a few miles of the central part of the city, and within an hour captured and plundered twenty persons. A well concerted attack was made on the "Private Escort," by a gang near the Black forest, who succeeded in plundering that armed force. In consequence of these and other enormi- ties proved to have been committed mainly by convicts, a bill called the " Convicts' Prevention Bill" passed the legislature, which, while reprobated by the other colonies, and especially Tasmania, was a means, in some slight degree, of repressing the intolerable nuisance. There were numerous diggers from almost all nations, Germans, French, Italians, Chinese, Americans, and old Californians, who brought their distinctive notions of rights and freedom to bear on their avocations of digging; and in the wretched condition of our social constitu- tion in those days, the emeute at Ballaarat, December 3rd, 1854, seemed an inevitable consequence. The government arrange- ments were, that each digger paid a license fee of 30s. per month for a claim of 12 feet square. The commissioners were empowered to make daily visits accompanied by the police, and compel the diggers to shew their licenses. As disaffection to the Government was spreading among such a mixed population, VICTORIA. xlv the police force had to be increased, and to meet this additional expense the license fee was rigidly collected, and this impost was laid on every one connected with gold operations, whether digging or not. An additional law made it imperative on the diggers to act as special constables, under the penalty of being treated as rogues and vagabonds. Meetings were held on the various gold-fields, and the miners resolved to resist the fee altogether, and committees were formed to protect the interest of the miners. The vexatious "license hunting" followed, and the irritation became excessive towards the Government and its officials, the commissioners and police. The Eureka Hotel was the resort of the w. rst characters at Ballaarat, and its proprietor was generally detested, but the local authorities did not interfere for its suppression; a murder was committed in this house, and Bentley, the landlord, escaped justice on his first trial. The people, persuaded of the guilt of him and his mob, attacked and burnt down the hotel, in October, and would not permit the authorities to interfere. When Bentley and his accomplices we;e again tried, they were found guilty of manslaughter; but the effect of this on the public mind was to inflame the people against the Government, and stump orators urged them on to acts of rebellion, and commenced to enrol bands to resist the authorities by armed force. Sir C. Hotham finally ordered all the available force to Ballaarat to quell this formidable outbreak. Meantime, the ringleaders of the Eureka Hotel riot were captured, tried, condemned, and had lenient sentences passed on them, as the juries censured the Ballaarat authorities. The consequence was, that the diggers began to drill, and made all preparation for a struggle. On 28th November, 1854, the first attack was made on a detachment of the 12th regiment, and a second shortly after, on another detachment of the 40th regiment. On the 3rd December, an attack was made by the military on the en- trenchment of the insurgents, in which a number were killed on both sides. The rebels were scattered, martial law pro- claimed, and a Royal Commission appointed to proceed to the spot, and examine into the condition of the gold-field. These gentlemen found the grievances of the miners to be truly heavy, and recommended a complete change in the ad- ministration of their affairs, that a duty be laid upon gold instead of the license fee, a co-partnery system, franchise to the miner, and disputes to be arbitrated by a locally elected body, with an efficient chairman. These recommendations were adopted, and the mining districts were restored to quiet. The Royal Commission was the first to call the attention of the Government to the serious considerations arising from the tide of Chinese immigration. It had set in about the com- mencement of 1854, and already there were 10,000 Chinamen on the various gold-fields. A social difficulty was thus originated, which continued to increase as the numbers were xlvi HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. reported in succeeding years to be 30,000 and even 60,000, and some of these people asserted that their countrymen were "all coming." As a restrictive measure, a poll-tax of £10 was levied on every Chinamen entering the port, and the vessels were limited to one for every 10 tons of their register. But South Australia offered facilities by overland to evade the law; and the legislature, in consequence, removed the tonnage restriction, retaining the £10 fine. Protectors and interpreters were provided by the Government. There is great antipathy manifested to them on the gold-fields, and assaults and mal treatment are frequent. At Ballaarat, a newspaper in Chinese was established in May, 1856, and in September they erected a Joss House on Emerald Hill, Melbourne. But few females accompany them; they, however, in some instances, succeed in obtaining wives, chiefly from among Irish girls. A mission has been established for their benefit, of which the Rev. Mr. Young and a few Chinese Christians are the agents. The success of this effort is not great, and the paucity of the funds for the mission does not attesf its popularity. The railway projects started into being in 1852. The first line, from Melbourne to Sandridge, was commenced in January, 1853, and opened in September, 1854, a result of private enterprise; and, subsequently, a branch of this line was ex- tended to St. Kilda. The Melbourne and Williamstown line was commenced shortly after, and was designed to be carried out to Mount Alexander and the Murray River, but was ultimately sold to the Government. The Geelong and Mel- bourne line was commenced in 1853, and was opened on 25th June, 1857. A line to Ballaarat from Geelong was projected, but abandoned, in consequence of the Government purposing to construct the trunk lines of the colony. To this end surveys have been made, and two lines are proposed: to Castlemaine and Sandhurst from Melbourne, and to Ballaarat from Geelong; the cost is estimated at about £6,000,000, to be raised by debentures, at 6 per cent * The proclamation of the New Constitution by Sir Charles Hotham, in the house of legislature, on 23rd November, 1855, effected a great political change, by introducing a really le- sponsibla government. In this altered condition, the ministers were to be held responsible for the estimates: but those, who were ministers, in anticipation, now found that it was ques- tionable whether the proposed estimates were their own or were the Governor's, which under the former system involved them in no responsibility. The law officers recommended that they should in the first instance resign, which accordingly they did; and the day following the Governor sent for Mr. Haines, the Colonial Secretary of yesterday, and invited him to form a ministry as now Chief Secretary. He accepted office and then 9 For more definite information, see Railways. VICTORIA. xlvii Mr. Stawell, the Attorney-General, Mr. Childers, the Collector of Customs, and Captain Clarke, the Surveyor General, accepted office under him. The announcement of the resignations took the House by surprise, but explanations were refused till next day, when, of course, the new ministry made its ap- pearance. The Governor sent a message to the House intima- ting his views of his own relation to the ministry, to the effect that while these were responsible to the House, he held them accountable to himself as representing the powers of the Em- pire; and demanded that all measures to be introduced by them should first have his sanction. A resolution of censure on the ministers for taking office under such arbitrary and unconstitutional claims was lost by a majority of one; the gentlemen whose conduct was impugned not scrupling to vote in favor of their own conduct, although placed in the anomalous position of voting, as Sir Charles Hotham's nominees, on a question of responsibility to the people. A large majority of elected members was arrayed against them. On 18th December, the question of vote by ballot was introduced by the opposition. The ministry would not allow it to be an open question, as it deeply affected an electoral act which was then under consideration in the House; after two debates the motion was carried by a majority of eight, and next day the ministry resigned. Mr. W. Nicholson was sent for, and at- tempted the formation of a ministry; but as there was no desire to disturb the old ministry, these finally recalled their resignations. Writs were issued for the new elections, and the parliament was appointed to assemble on 21st November, 1855. In the crisis of these struggles, Sir C. Hotham died, on 31st December, 1855, the event being attributed partly to the mental anxiety occasioned by his position, but principally to the over-wrought condition to which he was reduced by con- tinuous labor at his post, acting on a frame weakened by exposure in tropical climates. The provisions of the New Constitution called forth great discussion at public meetings, and its defects excited the cry for reform in several points, as in the nominee system which was still a part of the new code, the inequality conferred on the squattocracy, and the property qualification of representa- tives. The new elections, in the middle of 1856, shewed the prevalence of democratic sentiments in the community. The tests of the candidates were, manhood suffrage, equal elections, anti-state aid to religion, and national education, telegraphs, railways, posts, &c. The whole of the former popular repre- sentatives were returned, and on the 25th November, Major- General Macarthur, the acting Lieutenant-Governor, gave what was in reality the ministerial speech, in opening the first free parliament. Major-General Macarthur had rather allowed matters to manage themselves than interfere in any way, and had, by his affability of demeanor, con- xlviii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Biderably ingratiated himself with those with whom he was brought into contact. The reforms promised in "the speech" were—appointments to the civil service by exami- nation, a new arrangement in the Audit office, rescinding "the Orders in Council," railways, a national bank, extension of electric telegraphs, tariffs, education, no state-aid to religion, law reform, and immigration. The Government carried the property qualification by a majority of five against the equality scheme of the opposition on the manhood suffrage question. The property qualification of members was the next important point of debate, in which the Government was defeated. But on the immigration scheme, the sum placed on the estimates exceeded the sum contemplated to be expended by £150,000. This occasioned a vote of censure, which being carried, the ministry resigned; and Mr. John O'Shanassy was sent for to form a ministry; the following gentlemen accepted office under him:—Mr. J. V. P. L. Foster, Treasurer; Mr. A. F. A. Greeves, Commissioner of Customs; Mr. C Gavan Duffy, Commissioner of Public Works; Mr. G. S. W. Horne, Commis- sioner of Crown Lands; Mr. H. S.Chapman, Attorney-General: and Mr. J. D. Wood, Solicitor-General. Sir H. Barkly arrived by the Oneida, the first ship that arrived belonging to the European and Australian Steam Navigation Company, in December, 1856. He was received with the customary demonstrations and formalities. His policy is very much that of non-interference; while his patronage of the literary, scientific and philanthrophic insti- tutions of the colony is wise and liberal.* The res:gnation of the Haines ministry, occurred three months after the arrival of His Excellency, on 3rd March, 1857. The new ministry held office for barely six weeks. The political programme of Mr. John O'Shanassy, taken with the strong antipathy felt towards some of his colleagues, issued on the 22nd April in a vote of " Want of Confidence," which was carried by 34 against 19. The new ministry consisted of—Mr. W. C. Haines, Chief Secretary: Mr. J. M'Culloch, Commissioner of Trade and Customs; Mr. C. H. Ebden, Treasurer; Mr. A. Michie, Attorney-General; Mr. D. Moore, President of Board of Land and Works; Mr. T. H. Fellows, Solicitor General; Mr. W. H. F. Mitchell, Post- master-General. There was a change effected in the officers of the ministry, by the consolidation of the heretofore separate offices of public lands and public works, which had had severally a commissioner. One commissioner now was placed in office over both, and the Postmaster-General was now first constituted a ministerial officer, and the appointment vested in the cabinet, from its importance to the commercial interests of the colony. The new cabinet held office for the greater part of a year, and on the 24th February, 1858, a resignation * See article respecting His Excellency elsewhere. VICTORIA. xlix was declared in consequence of a motion by Captain Clarke, on a question affecting the schedule of Electoral Districts as proposed by the ministry. After some maneuvering in the political circles, a coalition ministry was formed thus:—Chief Secretary, Mr. John O'Shanassy; Treasurer, Mr. G. Barker; Attorney-General, Mr. H. S. Chapman; Solicitor-General, Mr. K. D. Ireland; Postmaster-General, Dr. G. S. Evans; Com- missioner of Land and Works, Mr. C. Gavan Duffy; Customs, Mr. Henry Miller. Amidst these ministerial changes various bills passed into law, which had considerable influence on the progress of the country. The measures for facilitating internal communica- tion by railways, which are in process of being realized. The consolidation of local self-government by erection of munici- palities in localities willing to undertak e the implied responsi- bilities. The Crown lands bill, which it is said was carried through the lower house by a compromise, was rejected by the upper by a large majority, and was the occasion of several popular representatives being cast with their constituencies. The state-aid question, on account of which, it is also said, these compromises were yielded, was rejected by the upper house by a majority of one. The subject of prison dicipline became a very serious ques- tion, by reason of the number of criminals, the inadequate provision for their management, and the spirit of resistance exhibited by them. Gaol accommodation was scanty, so that stockades and hulks, as well as prisons, were crowded. In one road gang, four prisoners attempted an escape, when two were killed and two escaped. The next was a bold attempt under the c riminal Captain Melville to capture a boat, by which they were being towed to the hulk; two of the boat's crew were murdered, and two of the convicts perished. S The tragedy was consummated by a third attack, and the murder of Mr. Price, the superintendent of convicts. The treatment of criminals is a subject that admits of loud condemnation of the Govern- ment by those who do not consider that the authorities have not an Alladin lamp to cause the erection of a prison palace in one night. Yet as a committee of inquiry sat on this question so early as 1852, there is ground for censure that more has not been done to effect salutary changes, and the revelations of prison-life by the convict Melville were such as to shock our common humanity, in the exposure of a system of vengeance, and not of reform, as the recognised principle of gaol economy. Happily, since the installation of Mr. W. P. N. Champ, a great change has been effected in the convict department. (See page 60.) The subject of immigration, on which the first ministr was ousted, has undergone great change, in the appointment of an immigration agent for the colony, whose work would be to promote immigration by partial payments, so as to balance D* 1 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. the disadvantage of distance and cost of voyage between this colony and North America, and with a special view to favoi female immigration as a means of equalizing the sexes in the colony. The-education bill proposed the consolidation of the present existing boards, by the adoption of a national system analogous to that of Canada; but the introduction of a clause excluding all religious teaching from the school, and forbidding the use of the school-houses for the purpose of religious instruction, aroused an opposition from nearly all the denominations, who petitioned that the measure might not become law. The question is still before the house The rapid advance made by the city and colony generally is the wonder of all visitors. The noble structures that have been erected in Melbourne*—the Parliament Houses, the Treasury, the Public Library, the Hospital, the Benevolent Asylum, the City Court, the County Court, the Gaols and Police Barracks, the Military Barracks, the Exhibition Building, the richly ornamented Banks, the Custom House, the Churches, in a pure style of ecclesiastical architecture, the Chamber of Commerce, together with the massive stores and offices of our merchants, all fascinate the eyes of strangers, though from familiarity the resident passes them without notice. These attest the wealth and importance of the colony, while the townships rapidly progressing where there are centres of population, and the extension of the agricultural enterprise of the colony, begin to give a fixity to colonial life that for years past has been un- known. Improvements in the condition of society will result from settled habits; and such improvements become daily more visible. Some of our worst evils, we may hope, have passed away; and if the future of Victoria shall exhibit less of the hurry and excitement of the last few years the advantages thus conferred will be the means of a permanent and glorious onward progress. ABORIGINES. The aborigines of Australia belong to the Malay family of mankind, but differ in many essential points. They have no affinity whatever to the New Zealanders. They use no clothing of any description, except square rugs, made of opossum skins, which are neatly stitched together, and which are thrown loosely around the body. In the coldest winter nights, when ice is formed, and rain and hail is pouring down upon them in torrents, they will, for greater protection, piop up a few boughs and pieces of the bark of trees to protect them from the rain. The different tribes are, however, fast diminishing; one after another becoming extinct, in accordance with that universal * See article on Melbourne. VICTORIA. li law which removes the weak from the path of the strong. Diseases, arising from excesses in which their acquaintance with the lowest class of civilisation soon makes them adepts, either suddenly carry them off, or make them liable to attacks of fever, rheumatism, &c. Attempts have been made to con- vert them to Christianity, but they have been generally unsuccessful, except under such fortunate circumstances as have enabled their friends to keep them absolutely estranged from their tribe and their habits. These instances of success, although pressed forward by lay colonists as giving grounds for hope if imitated on a large scale, have in one instance only been seized upon as the foundation of a comprehensive experi- ment in South Australia, where the Venerable Archdeacon Hale has seen his exertions blessed far beyond the expectations which the result of other missionary labors would have justified. With this exception the missions amongst the aborigines may be regarded as a series of experiments which have signally failed from first to last; and although from the first the settlers acquainted with the habits of the natives have pointed out that one failure would be followed by ano- ther, unless a system of isolation of converts from their tribes could be ensured, the missionaries of various persuasions have persisted with a zeal worthy of their object, but with a blindness which could secure no result but failure, in forming station after station just sufficiently remote from civilisation to afford slight hopes of success at the outset, but so close to its borders, that the onward march of the tide has soon engulphed the feeble results attained; and drunkenness and vice have made a moral havoc in the tribes, which disease has quickly con- summated in death. In 1838 a chief protector and four assistants were appointed for the tribes in Port Phillip. In the same year the Wesleyans formed a mission at Buntingdale, and in 1840 had four ad- ditional reserves in different quarters of the district, and homesteads established, to facilitate intercourse with the natives. In 1841 a corps of native police was embodied from among the Melbourne and Western Port tribes. In 1846 an aboriginal school for children of both sexes was established by labors of private individuals. In 1851 two Moravian mission- aries established themselves at Lake Boga near the River Murray, to ascertain what their peculiar system could effect in the habits of the natives, and finally in 1853 the Episcopalians commenced a mission which is now in operation. Up to 1848 the Government was at an outlay on behalf of the Wesleyan mission of about £6,700; of the aboriginal school, £800; for the protectorate, £42,200; native police, £11,000; a total of £61,000 for thirteen years, and no results of any value followed. Hi - HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. • The area of the colony was estimated, in a return laid before the Legislature nearly three years ago by the Surveyor- General, at 55,571,84'acres, or 86,831 square miles; that is, Victoria is nearly as large as England, Scotland, and Wales united; England having 50,922 miles, Scotland 31,324 miles, and Wales 7,398 miles; or in all 89,644 square miles. The acreage of England and Wales is computed by Major Dawson, R.E., at about thirty-eight millions, and that of Scotland at twenty millions; total, fifty-eight millions of acres, or two millions and a half more than the computed acreage of Victoria. The country is generally low and level. There are extensive plains broken by ranges of inconsiderable height. The great range, which divides the waters flowing northward to the Murray from those running southward to the sea, extends from the Australian Alps to Wilson's Promontory, east of Western Port. The highest peaks are from 2,500 to 8,000 feet above the sea level. A great spur extends from the sources of the Biver Goulburn westward, to the sources of the Rivers Campaspe and Loddon, and a second extends thence westward to the Grampians. The Watershed, formed by these ranges, is nearly parallel to the coast, and its mean distance therefrom is about seventy miles. Extensive plains are found in the Wimmera district, in the north western parts of the colony, and those, broken by ranges running north and south, extend thence to the county of Rodney and beyond the Goulburn. Plains of moderate extent, interrupted by chains of hills, stretch from the River Plenty to the Hopkins. The following table shows the approximate heights of some of the most elevated points in Victoria :— Chain. Name of hill or locality. Feet. . The Cobboras 5,000 to 7,000 'Mount Pinnabar 4,100 Plain of Omeo 3.100 Mount Bullock, near Gibbo .. .. 2,160 The Bogong Ranges 5,000 to 7,000 May Day Hills, Beechworth .. .. 1,700 to 2,600 Mount Valentia 8,000 to 4,000 Corranworabul .. .. .. .. 2,500 Mount Leonard 5,000 to 6,000 Mount Disappointment 2,000 Jayjerk, Mount Ida 1,500 to 2,000 Mount Macedon .. 3,400 Mount Alexander 3,298 9 See article on Geology. Remarks on Agriculture, Land, &c., will be found in other parts ol the work. VICTORIA. liii Chain. « 1 s Name of hill or locality. Mount Buninyong Bullarook Mount Franklyn . Feet. 2,600 2,400 1,700 Feet Pyrenees, and other mounts to theEastward. Mt. Kosciusko (Strzelecki) .. 6,510 Karribogong (Kosciusko?) 6,563 „ Buller, between 5,000 and 6,000 „ Wellington and Gisborne 5,269 Castle Bill or Mt. Macmillan 4,860 Tomboritka 5,865 Bald Hill 4,668 Bo-Bo, or Baw Baw 5,062 Notch Hill 4,625 Ben Cruachan 2,912 Taylor 1,463 Omeo Plains (Strzelecki) 3,100 Wilson's Promontory. Mt. Wilson 2,500 „ Hunter 1,138 „ Singapore 431 Feet. Grampians and other moun- tains to the westward. Mt. William (Mitchell) 6,400 „ iSturgeon 1,957 „ Abrupt 2,621 ,, Napier 1,444 „ Rouse 1,269 „ Dundas 1,288 „ Pierrepoint 891 ,, Bainbugge 942 Richmond Hill 720 Mt. Eckersby 515 „ Clay 657 „ Klncaird 736 „ Biles 614 A great extent of country is occupied by palteozoic Rocks and masses of Granite.* The older and newer silurian are fos- siliferous, and trilobites graptolites, terebratulce, and many specimens of the orthidiform brachiopoda have been discovered in the neighborhood of Melbourne, on the Yarra, near Gis- borne, at Heathcote, and at Sandhurst. In the neighborhood of the gold-fields, the palseozoic rocks are covered by thin deposits of the newer Tertiaries, composed of the detritus of quartz veins, and the surrounding rocks are often highly auriferous. The quartz veins are found principally in the vicinity of the granite, and they run generally north and south. A large extent of country south of the dividing range, extending from the River Plenty westward to the River Hopkins, is occupied by basalt and volcanic rocks. Some of the volcanoes are comparatively recent; but there are no evidences at present to shew that any have been active during the historical period. Some of the most remarkable volcanic hills are Mount Warrenheip, Mount Buninyong, Mount War- rion, Mount Gellibrand, Mount Hesse, Mount Moriac, Mount Leura, Mount Myrtown, Mount Franklyn, Mount Elephant, and Tower Hill. Coal is found at Cape Patterson and near Cape Otway. Durable sandstone, suitable for building purposes, has not yet been discovered; but a useful limestone is found in many places. The basaltic rocks and granite, though difficult to work, are of excellent quality, and from the nature of their composition are durable. Thin beds of tertiary rocks, highly 9 These notes are principally from Archer's Facta and Figwres. D*2 liv HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. fossiliferous, extend from the coast a considerable distance in- land, in many parts of the colony. They afford rough build- ing stones, and in some localities limestone and a rich he- matite. The Rivers south of the main dividing ranges, flowing southward to the sea, are the Genoa and Snowy rivers, the Tambo, the Nicholson, the Mitchell, the Avon, the Thomson, the M'Alister, the Tarra, the Albert, the La Trobe, the Bass, the Yarra Yarra, with its tributary the Plenty, the Saltwater river, the Werribee, the Moorabool, Barwon, and Yarrowee, the Gellibrand, the Hopkins, the Eumeralla and the Glenelg. Thence, flowing northward to the Murray, are the Mitta Mitta, the Goulburn, the Campaspe and Coliban, the Loddon, the Avoca, and the Wimmera. The most important, the Murray, has several sources. The most south - eastern is the Indi, or Limestone, from Forest Hill, though the largest stream comes from near Mount Kosciusko. After a short northern course it turns to the westward, and reaches the sea, through Lake Victoria, into Encounter Bay. Its length is 2,400 miles, of which 2,000 are navigable. One- third of its course is in South Australia. (See page 135.) Cape Otway is 60 miles south-west of Port Phillip Heads, and Volney 15 miles west of Otway. Point Flinders is 6 miles west of Port Phillip. The Heads of Port Phillip are, Lonsdale Point on the west, and Point Nepean on the east side. Short- land's Bluff is within the entrance on the west side, and Point Henry off Geelong Harbor. Cape Schanck is between Western Port and Port Phillip. Lawrence and Lady Percy's Islands are in Portland Bay: French and Phillip are in Western Port. French, the inner one, is 15 miles long by 10 broad; Phillip is 20 by 7. Glennie and Cleft are west of Wilson's Promontory; Seal Isles and Rabbit are to the east, and Rodonto Rock is to the south. Snake or Latrobe Island, 12 miles long, is at the entrance of Corner Inlet. Sunday, 5 miles long, is north of it, at the entrance of Port Albert. Lance is between Lake Reeve and the sea, and Raymond between Lake King and Lake Victoria. Gabo, having a lighthouse, is near Cape Howe. The lakes of Victoria are very numerous, but, in general, are shallow. The most extensive are Lakes Wellington, King, Victoria, and Reeve, in the Gipps Land District; Lakes Colac, Korangamite, Gnarpurt, Colongulac, Timboon, Porm- beet, Terang, and Tower Hill Lake, in the Western District; and Lakes Hindmarsh, Albacuytea, and Tyrrell, in the Wim- mera District. Permanent springs are rare, and the country is not well watered. In wet seasons, the river basins are full, the plains become swampy, and marshes expand into lakes; but in dry seasons, the rivets dwindle into thin small streams, and many of the lakes become dry or salt. Much of the basaltic soil is good, eminently suitable for hor- VICTORIA. lv ticultural purposes, and the plains, during a considerable portion of the year, afford good grass. Some of the palaeozoic ranges would, it is believed, grow the finest description of grasses, and a vast extent of land is suited to the growth of cereals. Roughly dividing the country, we have tracts which are pastoral only to the extent of about 40,700 square miles; both pastoral and agricultural, about 26,000 ditto ; auriferous, about 583 ditto; unavailable (i.e., land not explored, scrubby, or ill-watered, of which, perhaps, much may prove auriferous), about 19,548 ditto; making a total of 86,831 ditto, or 55,571,840 acres. Of the auriferous land about 180 square miles, or 115,200 acres, have been actually tested, and are at present being worked more or less. Of course the above figures are but vaguely approximate, but they will, however, serve to give a pretty accurate idea of the natural resources of the country. The harbors are not very numerous, the principal one being Port Phillip Bay, which is 40 miles long, and nearly as broad, having an area of 900 square miles. The entrance between the Heads is two miles across. This bay contains two large and excellent harbors, viz., Hobson's Bay and Corio Bay, the porta respectively of Melbourne and Geelong. Portland Bay is a tolerably good harbor, but is exposed to the south-east wind and the swell of the Southern Ocean. Port Fairy, the harbor of Belfast, is inferior, in point of safety and convenience, to Portland. Lady Bay, the harbor of Warrnambool, is also exposed, and is shoal near the shore. Western Port contains a good harbor, but the entrance is not deep. In Gipps Land are also Port Albert and Welshpool, two excellent harbors. (See page 85.) CLIMATE. The Meteorology of Australia has scarcely, as yet, been investigated. It is true that observations have been taken at some stations for a considerable period, but until the results of a long series of olservations, under an uniform system, at numerous stations, are available, it will be impossible to draw conclusions either useful to the colonist or valuable to science. Perhaps no portion of the globe is more interesting in all that relates to the phenomena of climate than Australia. A vast island-continent, stretching through more than 28 degrees from north to south, and with a breadth of 2,400 miles— on the east having the Pacific, and on the west the Indian Ocean —it presents climates almost as varied, and influences as numerous as any of the great continental divisions. Of these, however, it would be impossible, at present,to give any general or comprehensive description. The utmost that can be done with the few data available, is to give the results, meagre as are, which have been deduced from observations taken they during the last few years. lvi HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. In Victoria the barometer and thermometer were observed at Melbourne from 1846 to 1851, inclusive, and the means deduced from these are given in Archer's Statistical Register of Victoria. They are as follow :— Mean Mean Barometer. Thermometer, in. © January 30 065 67 94 February 29 909 6731 March 30 099 63 92 April 29991 6056 May 29.962 5491 June 29960 51 00 July 29 983 49-34 August 29 942 50 66 September 29-984 55 03 October 29 963 58-97 November 29835 62 25 December 29-846 66-29 Means 29 960 59 02 Observations were commenced at Melbourne, in 1855, at the Surveyor-General's office, and the means of the barometer and thermometer are as follow :— 1856-6 1856-7 1857-8 Mean Mean Mean Mean Mean Mean Bar. Ther. Bar. Ther. Bar. Ther. in. o in. o in. o February i1 i9 29-964 08-7 29 956 72-3 March 30137 70-4 29 966 65.0 April .. 80-050 61 -4 30176 62-2 May 80121 538 30 272 52-3 June 30-249 50-3 29-915 60-7 29-916 497 July 30-093 48 3 30-C44 46-8 30 075 494 August 30 010 50-7 29-917 Bi-s 30144 61-5 September 29 997 64-8 29-958 547 30 031 53-2 October 30 042 68-5 29-949 67-8 29-906 687 November 29-9J0 61-9 29-904 586 29-977 60'4 December 29 968 «4-7 29-899 61-4 29 935 571 January 30-031 67 9 29-874 66-4 29-875 72.1 Means 29-977 685 30 019 59-5 The highest temperature in shade recorded since the above series was commenced, was 109-2 on the 23rd December, 1857, and the lowest, 29-7, on the 12th July, 1855. The mean temperature of the dewpoint is approximately 49-0, and the mean dryness is therefore 10-. Rain.—The rain-fall at Melbourne, in 1855, was as follows:— June, 1-84 in.; July, 1-74 in.; August, 0-84 in.; September, 4-14 in.; October, 2 65 in.; November, 1-63 in.; and Decem- ber, 3-98 in. In 1856 :—January, 2-88 in.; February, 0-97 in.; March, 2.81 in.; April, 4-76 in.; May, 2-96 in.; June, 2 79 in.: July, 2-85 in.; August, 1-22 in.; September, 3-49 in.; October, 2-78 in. ; November, 1-39 in.; and December, 1-84 in. In 1857 :—January, 1-23 in.; February, 3-98 in.; March, 8-80 in. VICTORIA. Ivii April, 0-99 in.; May, 200 in.; June, 1-99in.; July, 116 in.; August, 1'69 in.; September, 3-83 in.; October, 5-28 in.: November, 2-12 in.; and December, 0 83 in. Total for the year 1856, 29 74 in. Total for the year 1857, 28 90 in. Some districts in Victoria are occasionally visited by floods, but it does not appear that they are frequent, or that they extend over a considerable area. In New South Wales they are sometimes of a most serious character; and at such times the rivers, when stemmed by a gale from the eastward, over- flow their banks, and the destruction in consequence is very great. Droughts of long continuance are said to be not infrequent in some parts of Australia. Unfortunately, we have no very clear accounts of any that have occurred in Victoria, and, therefore, any speculations as to their cause are out of the question. Wind.—-The number of days on which the wind blows from each point throughout the year, at Melbourne, may be stated, approximately as follows: - N , 70 days; N.E., 35 days; E., 15 days; S.E., 30 days; S., 75 days; S.W., 45 days; W., 35 days; N.W., 30 days; and calm, 30 days. In autumn and winter the northerly winds exceed the southerly, and in spring and summer the southerly winds exceed the northerly. Hot winds are frequent in summer, and they occasionally blow in spring and autumn. They are exceedingly dry, and invariably their approach is indicated by a sudden and often considerable depression of the barometer. They do not appear to be injurious to health, except, perhaps, in towns where there is much dust. They are supposed to be notably deficient in ozone. The westerly and south-westerly (cold winds), on the contrary, are sometimes saturated with ozone; and are seldom deficient. The following table shews the mean temperature for each season; and for the year at twenty-five places. The tem- peratures for many of the stations have been computed from the tables given in Kaemtz's Meteorology, and others are derived from Daniell's Meteorology, and the Meteorological Report for 1853-4, by Lieut.-Colonel James, Royal Engineers:— Mean Temperature for the Town or Place. Year. Winter. Spring. Sum. Autm. o o o o e Melbourne (approx.) .. .. 69 0 60 0 67 0 69 0 61 0 Geelong (approx.) .. .. 68 1 49 6 68 6 67 1 67 6 Heathcote (approx.) .. .. 67 1 456 63 9 72 5 665 Rome 69-8 46'8 67 8 73 1 62 0 MontpeUier 595(?) 44 4 66 8 75'9 60 9 Florence 69 6 44 3 68 5 76-3 60-3 Madrid 675 420 675 74 1 66'6 Naples (near) 61 5 49 6 69 3 74 S 62 2 Lisbon 615 62 3 59'9 710 62-6 Laguua (Teneriffe) .. 626 66 4 697 68 3 65-2 Paris 61-4 38 0 60 8 648 520 London 499 386 4.-6 62-2 50 1 Iviii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Mean Temperature for thk Town 0R Placi. Year. Winter. Spring. Sam. Antra. Dublin 49 2 40 1 47 0 59-9 4899 Cape of Good Hope .. 66 2 68 6 66 4 741 66 9 Sevastopol 627 362 603 71 0 54"6 Washington 648 36 1 60 3(7) 71 0 66-1 RioJanTero 736 686 725 789 744 Calcutta 78 3 67-8 82 5 83-4 79 0 Bombay 78 8 73-7(7) 809 82 6 81-1 Madras 820 76 6 834 863 81-5 Brussels 50 3 36 5 60 1 64'7 503 Funchal 666 613 635 699 67"6 Freemantle, W. Australia .. 62-6 66 0 63 0 70 0 61 5 Parramatta. New South Wales 64 5 54-6 66 6 73 9 64 5 HobartTown 524 420 528 631 61"S An examination of the above table places our climate in a favorable point of view. Compare the climates of Melbourne and Madrid, and it will be seen what erroneous impressions would be given by merely quoting the mean temperature of each place. Even the temperatures of the seasons are not sufficient when we seek to know whether one climate is more salubrious than another. We must inquire as to the daily and monthly range of temperature, the mean humidity, and the range of humidity, the force of the wind, and the solar and terrestrial radiation. Such tables would be of inestimable value to us at a time when foreign animals and plants are to be introduced to this country and domesticated. Constantly we hear of proposals to expend large sums for the procuring of animals which one scorching summer would either destroy or seriously dete- riorate; and the cultivation of many plants is talked of, which would neither brave our winters nor survive the summers. And again, there are, undoubtedly, numerous animals and many fruits which might be introduced with advantage, and to which the climate would be favorable. Meteorological Ubservatories, under the direction of Mr. R. Brough Smyth, F.G.S.L., are established in Victoria at Melbourne, Geelong, Heathcote, Sandhurst, Beechworth, Ballaarat, Camperdown, Portland, Castlemaine, Kooyoora, Mount Warrenheip, Ararat, Green Hills, Mount Ararat, Winter's Swamp, Port Albert, Welshpool, Mount Egerton, Tyntynderr (Swan Hill), Tan Yean, Gabo Island. Others are about to be established at a point on the Lower Murray, at Echuca, and on the coast. The names, &c., of the observers are inserted in Bradshaw's Monthly Guide to Victoria. Observations are taken every day at 9J a.m., p.m., and 9| p.m. At the stations supplied with a complete set of standard instruments, a rigid uniformity of system is main- tained. The barometers have all been compared with the standard in Melbourne. The dry and wet bulb thermometers are Eew standards, and the maximum and minimum are by Casella and Co., and Negretti and Zambra, and they have been compared with Kew standards. The rain gauges are nearly fourteen inches in diameter, and are on the construe- VICTORIA. tlx tion adopted by the corps of Royal Engineers. A modification of Lawson's thermometer stand has been tested and approved: and several, exactly alike in every respect, have been sent to the observatories. The amount of ozone in the atmosphere is recorded at 9i a.m., and at 9J p.m. Moffatt's ozonometer is used. Complete sets of instruments have not yet been sup- plied to all the observatories; but such as are recorded have, in nearly every case, been compared with the standards, Weekly reports of the state of the weather, signed by the observer, are, in most cases, sent to the local newspapers. A monthly report of the observations, in full, is published at the observatory, Melbourne; and a quarterly abstract, and an annual report embracing all the observations during the year, are regularly printed Note.—Meteorological observatories are established in New South Wales under the direction of the Rev. W. Scott, Colonial Astronomer; in South Australia under the direction of Mr. Charles Todd, Superintendent of Magnetic Telegraphs, and in Tasmania under the direction of the Royal Society. In 1855, in consequence of the exertions of the Hon. Andrew Clarke, then Surveyor-General, the systems of observation in use in the various colonies were as far as possible assimilated In New South Wales and Victoria they are nearly alike, the Colonial Astronomer, on his arrival in New South Wales, having adopted the system for his observatories which had been established in Victoria by the director, Mr. Smyth. GEOLOGY. Previous to the year 1850, the only published information relative to the geological structure of Victoria (then known as the Port Phillip district, or Australia Felix) was to be found in the works of Sir Thomas Mitchell and Count Strzelecki In 1845, Mr. J. Bute Jukes visited Port Phillip, as naturalist to the surveying expedition of H.M.S. Fly, Captain Blackwood, and in a small work entitled " Sketch of the Physical Structure of Australia," published in 1850, after his return to England, he gives a brief description of his own observations—made during a stay of only twelve days—on the structure of the country in the immediate vicinity of Melbourne and Geelong; he also recapitulates the previously published observations of Sir Thomas Mitchell on the Port Phillip district, which with those of Count Strzelecki and his own, may be said to include all that was known of the geological structure of Victoria up to the commencement of 1851. In October, 1851, or shortly after the first discovery of gold in Victoria, Mr. Latrobe wrote to the Secretary of State for the Colonies as follows:— Ix HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. No. 40. Melbourne, Oct. 20th, 1S51. My Lord,—Referring to the late discovery of widely-extended arid exceedingly valuable deposits of gold in this colony, and of the possibility that from th'S time forward the precious metal may be looked upon as one of the sources of revenue derivable from the Crown Lands, I would urge upon Her Majesty's Government the propriety of selection and appointing as mineral surveyor for this colony, a gentleman possessed of the requisite qualifications, and acquaintance with geological science and phenomena. 2. I find myself greatly embarrassed at this time for want of the services of a competent agent of this class. 3. Should it be considered expedient to adopt my suggestion, I would venture to recommend that the salary allowed to the officer selected should not be under five hundred pounds per annum, with allowance for travelling expenses. I have, &c, (Signed,) C. J. LaTROBE. To the Right Hon. Earl Grey, &c. In consequence of this application, a geologist was appointed to proceed to Victoria who had been employed nearly seven years on the stafl of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, under the direction of the late Sir Henry De la Beche. The appointment was made in May, ] 852, and in November, 1853, Mr. A. R. C. Selwyn arrived in the colony. After about two months, occupied in making a cursory examination of the principal gold-fields then known, it was considered advisable, as being the only way in which permanently valuable results could be obtained, at once to commence a survey which should form the basis for the construction of a detailed and connected geological map of the colony, and to conduct the work, so far as the nature of the country and the available means per- mitted, exactly on the model of the British Geological Survey. The Geological Survey of Victoria was accordingly com- menced at Mount Alexander, in April, 1853, and was carried on as expeditiously as the very limited means granted for the purpose would allow, until the 30th June, 1855, when it was stopped for a time, by order of the Government, on grounds of economy. Up to the above date, the total area surveyed was about 3,402 square miles. The observations made were recorded with as much accuracy of detail as was practicable on the only topographical map then available for the purpose, a very imperfect one, on a scale of half an inch to one mile. This map, though of scientific interest, was far too small to be of any practical value in directing the operations of the miner. Short geological notes or reports on the structure of the areas embraced in these surveys have been printed as Parliamentary papers. At the commencement of 1856 (probably due in a great measure to the liberal spirit in which the matter was then taken up by the Hon. Capt. A. Clarke, the late Surveyor- General), the survey was recommenced, and has since been VICTORIA. ixi carried on, on a scale more commensurate with the object in view; and which, if continued, will enable it to be made a work which will prove not only an interesting and valuable contribution to science, but also permanently and practically useful. Since the above date an area of 1,512 square miles, extending from Hobson's Bay, north to Kilmore, and north- west to Tavradale, has been surveyed. The observations made have been laid down most minutely on maps, on a scale of two inches to one mile. These are being engraved, and will shortly be published in a consecutive series of quarter sheets, each embracing fifty-four square miles. C onsidering that the geological survey of Great Britain has now been in progress for upwards of twenty-three years, with the aid of numberless advantages favorable to its rapid progress, which do not exist in a new country, including a numerous staff of highly com- petent observers, and topographical maps of the most perfect description; and notwithstanding these combined advantages, it is only quite recently that the structure of some of the more complicated districts has been correctly worked out and explained, while many others still remain to be examined; it becomes almost unnecessary to say, that at present, it is impossible to give any sketch of the geology of this colony, embracing as it does an area nearly equal to that of Great Britain, which could be regarded as more than a very imperfect outline. Any such sketch must be founded almost entirely upon the observations of the geological survey staff, made over only a limited portion of the colony, during a period of little more than three years; it would, therefore, require much modifica- tion, and perhaps, in some instances entire reconstruction, from the result of future observations over more extended areas. Though, up to the present time only 4,914 square miles have been actually surveyed, very much more extended areas have been traversed and cursorily examined. 'Ihe observations made prove that by far the greater portion of Victoria is occupied by formations which belong to only two of the great geologic epochs, viz.:—" primary " or " palaeozoic," and "tertiary " or "cainozoic." Many of the well-known European groups, or subdivisions of the above epochs, have been recognised. Others are appa- rently missing, but those that do exist contain a fossil fauna, of which many species and more genera are identical with those found in the equivalent European group.* They also occupy the same relative geological position, and exhibit a most striking similarity in general lithological character. 9 A lower silurian bivalve shell has been found in groat abunda* ce in the "spoil heaps " from the Bendigo quar z reefs, which is alsO character- istic of the lower or cambro silurian rocks, asso iated with gold quart9/ veins in North Wales. E* lxii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. I. LOWEB PALEOZOIC ROCKS. The rocks from which the whole of the gold has been originally derived are of the primary or palaeozoic epoch, including the Cambrian, cambro silurian, and upper silurian groups. They consist, in their lower members, as in Britain, chiefly of schistose and slaty rocks, with numerous beds of hard, gritty quartoze, and also, soft and fine grained micaceous sandstones. The latter often afford good freestone for build- ing purposes; and the former, occasionally, flags and roofing slates. Freestones from these beds are much used at Castle- maine and Sandhurst. In the upper portions, which apparently do not extend anywhere to the westward of the meridian of Keilor, shaly " mudstones," inter-stratified with beds of hard and soft grits and fine grained micaceous sandstones, are most prevalent. Wherever any of these palaeozoic rocks appear on the surface, but more particularly in their lower or older portions, they are intersected by innumerable veins of white quartz, from the smallest thread to many feet in thickness, and all appa- rently more or less auriferous. With respect to the origin of these veins, there appears no reason whatever to suppose that they are due to any causes different from those which have operated in the formation and filling up of all other mineral veins, whether of tin, copper, or any other crystalline mineral; and any explanation which Fatisfactorily accounts for all the effects produced in one case will probably be equally applicable to the other. Besides gold, many metallic minerals exist in the quartz veins of Victoria; but, with the exception of tin and antimony, none have as yet been discovered in workablequantity. At intervals throughout the palasozoic strata, large areas occur exclusively occupied by granitic and other " plutonic" rocks. These have invariably hardened and metamorphosed, for a short distance from the point of junction, the stratified rocks amongst which they have been intruded, and are, there- fore, of more recent origin; but in no instance do they appear to have exercised the smallest influence in determining the general strike, dips or contortions of the latter, or their present often nearly vertical position; and so far as is at present known, the granitic areas contain little or no gold, either in veins or in older drifts, at a distance from their junction with the palaeozoic rocks. The area occupied by these older palasozoic and plutonic rocks, exclusive of Gipps Land, either on the surface or over- laid by newer tertiary deposits immediately derived from them, and where they do not exceed, with their contempora- neous and overlying sheets of basaltic lava, 300 feet in thick- ness, could not be estimated at less than 30,000 square miles; and if from this we deduct 10,000 square miles, occupied by the plutonic rocks above noticed, and others which are not VICTORIA. Ixiii auriferous, we have 20,000 square miles, over which there is every probability of gold being found in remunerative quanti- ties, either in quartz veins, traversing Cambrian, cambro silu- rian and upper siluriau rocks, or in overlying tertiary sands and gravels, many of the older and richest portions of which are now concealed under the widely extended sheets of basaltic lava, by which they have been preserved from denudation. II.—UPPER PAL2E0Z0IC OR MESOZOIC ROCKS. The coal bearing rocks of Australia are largely developed in certain districts in Victoria. The Barrabool Hills, Cape Otway, Western Port, part of Gipps Land, aud probably in the Grampians. Outliers or detached patches of these rocks also occur near Bacchus Marsh and at Kyneton, proving their former extension over wide areas, from which they must have been removed by denudation. They afford the best freestone for building which has yet been obtained in the colony, but do not contain any mineral veins or auriferous deposits. No fossil fauna has yet been discovered in them. The flora they contain is of an oolitic type, and they are, therefore, considered by Professor McCoy to belong to the mesozoic or secondary epoch. They have, however, as yet, been very little examined in Victoria; and no very satisfactory or conclusive evidence exists at present as to their exact position in the geologic series. Beds of the same age and relative geological position rest in Tasmania, conformably on, and gradually pass down- wards into calcareous beds of true carboniferous age, which overlie quite unconformably the upturned and denuded edges of lower silurian or Cambrian rocks, and the entire group has, generally, if we except the oolitic character of its fossil flora, more resemblance to the carboniferous than the oolitic rocks of Europe. In all probability, however, it will eventually be found that in Australia, as in America and India, carboni- ferous rocks occur, of both palseozoic and mesozoic age At Western Port, near Cape Patterson, a few seams of coal of good quality occur. Only two have yet been discovered which are sufficiently thick to be profitably worked; but, from their general character, as also from that of the beds with which they are associated, it might be inferred that they are permanent only over very limited areas. A shaft recently sunk by the Government, to test the extension of the Cape Patterson seams, fully confirms this inference, as the seam, which is upwards of three feet thick, where cropping on the beach, contains only twenty inches of coal, in three bands, in the shaft, about 30 yards distant. Whether any thicker and more permanent seams exist in lower portions of the formation, is at present uncertain. A shaft and bore, 300 feet deep, has been contracted for, for the purpose of testing this, and is now being executed at the cost of the Government. Ixiv HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. In previous years considerable sums, which might have been saved by a very small amount of geological knowledge and investigation, hav been injudiciously and fruitlessly expended, both in the Cape Patterson, Cape Otway, and Barrabool Hills districts, in searching for workable seams of coal. III.—TERTIARY OR CAINOZ0IC ROCKS. Rocks referable to one or other of the groups of this epoch, occupy, probably, fully two thirds, or 60,000 square miles of the surface of Victoria They rest nearly horizontally on all the older formations, and ovei large areas are interstratified, especially in their upper portions, with extensive sheets of basaltic lava, and othe recent volcanic p oducts. They ex- tend from the sea level to elevations of 1,500 or 2,000 feet. In many parts of the colony, moie particularly the seaboard and the Murray basin, they include beds which, from their organic contents and relative geological position, are evidently representatives of the eocene, miocene, pliocence, and pleis- tocene deposits of ¥ urope. The precise position of the gold drifts in the above series is at present exceedingly doubtful. No beds are yet known in Victoria associated with or forming a portion of these drifts, in which fossil marine fauna exist; neither has any gold been obtained from underneath the known fossiliforous tertiary for- mations above mentioned; the only me ns there is, therefore, at present, of deciding this question, is an examination of the geological position of the gold bearing tertiaries and the fossiliferous tertiaries relatively to the contemporaneous and overlying volcanic products; and it is then found that the miocene tertiary sa ids, clays, and limestones of the seaboard, occupy the same geological position as the older gold drifts or sands, clays, and quartz gravels of the gold-fields. This would lead to the inference that the older gold drifts are of miocene age; the evidence, however, is by no means satis- factory, and the question must remain to be decided by more extended investigation. That there are gold drifts indicating at least three distinct deposits, the result of successive up- heavals and depressions, is quite certain, at the same time they may possibly be only subdivisions of an extended pleis- tocene period. These three auriferous deposits sometimes occur in the same locality: and in this fact lies the explanation of the first, second, and sometimes third bottom discovered by the miner, the last being always on the solid or unmoved palaeozoic rock. This question of the true age of the gold drifts is of very great practical importance, inasmuch as if they really extend to the age of the miocene tertiaries, several thousand square miles might be added to the auriferous area of Victoria. In any case, however, there can be no doubt that the gold mines of Victoria, if worked with the requisite combination of skill. VICTORIA. Lxv labor, capital, and efficient machinery, will prove as per- manently profitable as the tin, copper, and lead mines of Great Britain. Government Geologist, Alfred R. C. Selwyn; Paleontologist. Professor McCoy. There are four field-assistants, two drafts- men, eight laborers, and one engraver, employed in connexion with the geological survey. GOLD. The following table, showing the quantity and value of the gold exported from Victoria up to the present time, will place in the clearest and most compendious point of view the pro- gress of this interesting branch of industry, so far as the results can be ascertained from the official returns of exports from Victoria. The figures, however, are exclusive of the large amount carried away by private hand, and which is known to have been very considerable previous to the legislative enact- ment imposing an export duty and providing the penalty of forfeiture in case of non-entry at the Customs : — Year. Quantity. Value. Ox. £ 1851 145,187 438,777 1852 1,988,526 6,135,728 1853 2,497,723 8,644,629 1854 2,144,699 8,265,550 1855 2,751,535 10,904,150 1856 2,985,991 11,943,458 1857 2,762,460 10,987,591 1868, to 30th June 1,279,767 5,119,069 Total .. .. 16,555,838 62,428,852 Having before us the country and the population, the next question naturally arising is, what have the latter been doing, and what have they accomplished? The principal occupation of the people, as is well known, has been gold-seeking, and the Registrar-General supplies us with information of the results. The first operations were of a very primitive nature. The tin basin and the cradle were the principal implements. The gold was sought for only in alluvial flats, and there was a prospect of these being speedily worked out. The condition of the digger was that of a gambler. It was uncertain and frequently miserable. To show the change that has taki n place, it is only necessary to give the following statement of mechanical appliances now in use, which have succeeded the old system of digging by mere isolated exertions, extracted from official returns of the machinery employed on the gold-fields in the month of May last:—282 steam-engines, 4,256 puddling-ma- chines, 133 quartz-crushing machines, 908 toms, sluices, and dams, 508 whims and whips, 66 horse machines, 200 water- wheels, 13 boring machines, 1 smelting machine. Although the average quantity of gold produced has not increased during the last two years, the circumstance is more than compensated by the unquestionable permanence of the E*2 Ixvi HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. future supply, arising from the highly auriferous character of the quartz formations which so extensively pervade the coun- try. While gold was only obtainable by workings on and near the surface, it was fairly a question whether the produce, for any long series of years, could be maintained at anything approaching to the rich yields of the early discoveries. So great, however, have been the results of quartz crushing, that the exhaustion of our gold mines has now become a contin- gency too remote for present speculation. So great is the produce of the quartz reefs becoming, that it is estimated that 60 per cent, of the gold brought from the Bendigo district alone, one of the oldest and most celebrated of the gold-fields, is at present obtained by the quartz miners. This field, which at one time had exhibited signs of comparative exhaustion, is now in consequence rapidly regaining its original eminent position as a valuable gold yielding district. A Table showing the average melting loss and fineness of Alluvial Gold of the several Victorian Gold-Fields.* Fineness of the resulting bar gold, gr. c. gr. c. gr. "2 6-8 average 23 2 4-8 Amherst Anderson's Ck. Ararat Avoca Ballaarat Blackwood Buckland Caledonia Castlemaine Melting loss per cent.. 2 to 3 6-10. 1| to 2} S. 2 i to 3. Ave- rage ofgood samples 1 per cent. 2 to 23 14-8 0 5-8 to 23 1 6-8 to 23 2 5-8 to 23 1 5-8 2 5-8 2 7-8 (Mixed samples lower.) 1J to 3 3-10 (average 21). Chinaman's Flat Coliban Creswick . 1J to 2J Do.,SpringHill 2 to 21 Dunolly .. H to 2J Gipps Land Districtt— Shean's Point 2J .. Dry Gully .. 3J Lower Creek 2i Swift Creek.. 2 Boggy Creek 1 Gibb's C. near MittaMitta 2} Goulburn Do., new rush Do., French- man's Gully Hell's Hole, Goul- burn River Jones' Creek .. 2 Kilmore .. 2J .. Kingower Korong 23 22 23 22 23 22 23 22 23 20 20 21 21 21 23 22 3 6-8 1 5-8 3 3-3 to 23 01-8 average 22 3 7-s 2 7-8 2 2-8 1 7-8 to 23 2 7-8 1 3-8 to 23 3 5-8 3 2-8 4-8 2 4-8 16-8 0 4-8 0 2-8 0 7-8 2 5-8 2 4-8 23 0 5-8 li to li, and much higher in ( 0 5-8 to 22 0 3-8 to 23 0 to 23 3 4-8 to 22 1 2-8 to 23 0 7-8 0 6-8 average 23 0 4-8 0 6-8 3 6-8 2 6-8 From calculations made by Mr. George Foord, Assayer, Melbourne. VICTORIA. lxvii Melting loss Fineness of the resulting bar gold, percent. c. gr. c. gr. c. gr. Linton's(Sm. C.) 2J .. .. 22 3 Do. (Armstrong's) If .. .. 23 1 Maryborough. 2 .. .. 23 2 1-8 to 23 2 7-8 average 23 2 t-S Do. White Hills .. .. 23 2 6-8 M'lvor** .. 17-8 to 3 6-10 23 0 5-8 to 23 2 7-8 average 23 2 4-8 (average 2J). (good samples), lit. Franklyn.. 21 .. .. 22 2 6-8 Now Bendigo 23 1 2-8 Ovens9 .. 2J to 8J .. 23 2 6-8 Lower when admixed with Goulbur n or Omeo. WooUhed, fused li to 2 6-10 23 2 1-8 to 23 3 average 23 2 7-3 Spring Creek .. .. 23 2 2-8 9-Mile Creek .. .. 23 2 6-S 3-Mile Creek .. .. 23 2 6-8 Running Ck. 6 or less .. 23 2 3-8 Pleasant Creek .. .. 22 2 4-8 to 22 8 4-8 Raglan 28 1 3-8 to 23 2 Sandhurst .. 1J to 21 .. 22 3 6-8 to 23 0 2-8 average 22 3 7-s WhiteHUls.. 2J .. .. 23 2 Epsom dust.. 1 .. .. 23 0 4-8 Tarradale 23 0 Tarrangower 23 0 3-8 Note.—In genuino samples of alluvial gold, although the amount of melting loss will very much depend upon the care in cleaning exercised by the buyer, the fineness is pretty constant for each field, and will seldom deviate Irom the average mark more than a few eighths of a carat grain. With matrix gold, however, the case is very different, and samples from the same reef—even from the samo claim—will often differ widely as to melting loss and fineness, according to the treatment in roasting and crushing. Matrix gold is usually lower than alluvial gold from tho same locality ; there are, however, exceptional cases. As examples of the fineness or amalgam gold, the following may bu quoted :— c. gr. c. gr. c. gr. Mariner's Reef, Maryborough .. 23 2 7-8 to 23 8 2-8J White Horse Reef „ ..22 S 7-811 Simmons'Reef, Mt. Blackwood .. 23 0 2-8 to 23 1 2-8 § Mount Gold, Castlemaine .. 23 0 3-8 Tarrangower, Eagle Hawk .. 23 1 Bee-hive Reef .. 23 0 4 8 NuggetyReef .. 23 0 3-8 Ballaarat, amalgam gold .. 22 2 3-8 to S3 0 1-8 Avoca, .. 22 3 3-8 to 23 0 7-8 Mt. Franklyn „ .. 20 1 3-8 to 23 2 1-8 the fineness usually ranging between .. .. 22 2 2-8 to 22 3 5-8 Sandhurst, quartz gold .. .. 21 2 7-8 to 23 0 average 22 3 5-3 Coliban, amalgamated .. .. 22 8 3-8 Amherst, amalgam gold .. 22 3 3-8 to 23 2 6-8 „ usual fineness from .. 23 1 2-8 to 23 2 4-8 Steiglitz, amalgam gold .. 17 2 1-8 to 22 2 5-8 average 21 2 Goulburn, amalgam .. .. 17 01-8 to 23 1 5-8 i usual from .. .. 21 2 2-8 to 23 1 4-8 Korong, amalgam .. .. 22 2 4-8 to 23 1 5-8 The melting loss of amalgam gold varies between J and 15 per cont. 9* Quality of M'lvor gold gradually lowering. 9 High melting loss due to tin oxide. t Gipps Land gold gets finer as the locality approaches seaboard, t The highest known matrix gold higher than Maryborough alluvial. II Lower than Maryborough alluvial. § Higher than Blackwood alluvial. VICTORIA. Ixix veyor of Melbourne, who made the preliminary survey in 1850, and laid his plan before the City Council on August 9th, 1851. After the incorporation of the Commission of Sewers and Water Supply the scheme, with some modifications, was finally adopted, and Mr. Blackburn was appointed consulting engineer, and Mr. Matthew Bullock .lackson, engineer to the commission. Mr. Blackburn did not, however, live to see more than the commencement of his great work, which was carried out by Mr. Jackson, by whom all the details were designed, and the work conducted to a successful issue. The works were four years in progress, the first sod of the embankment having been turned by Mr. Latrobe on the 2 ith December, 1853, and Melbourne was supplied with the water towards the latter end of the year 1857; the official ceremony of turning on the water was performed by the Hon. Major-General Macarthur on the 31st December, 1857. The cost of the works, including all contingencies, has been £664,452. A sum of £90,606 was ex- pended on works for temporary supply; likewise 138,317 has been incurred in preparatory measures towards the future sewerage of the city of Melbourne. The Commission was established under the Act 16 Victoria, No. 39 (assented to on 8th February, 1853), intituled, " An Act to establish a Board of Commissioners for the better sewerage and drainage of the City of Melbourne, and for supplying water thereto, and to the suburbs thereof." By this Act the Board is to consist of four members, three to be nominated by the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, and the other to be the Mayor of the City of Melbourne for the time being, who shall be an ex officio member of the Board. The said Act con- stitutes the Board a body politic and corporate, and as such it is able and capable to sue and be sued, and to prosecute and inform in all courts of law, as well criminal as civil, and in courts of equity, and to have and execute all the powers and duties vested in it by the said Act. The present manage- ment is in the hands of a Commission, consisting of the Hon. G. S. W. Horne (President), Messrs F. A. Powlett, R. H. Horne, and the Mayor of Melbourne. Secretary: F. J. Bury. ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. The works in connexion with this system of rapid intercom- munication were commenced in November, 1853, by Samuel W. McGowan, the present General Superintendent of Tele- graphs. First line opened to Williamstown in February. 1854; to Geelong in November of the same year; and to Queenscliff in .January, 1855. The business in 1854 amounted to 3,869 messages; in 1855, to 12,241; in 1856, to 13,741; total, 29,851. During the same period the levenue derived amounted to Ixx HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. £6,611 9s. lid., and the value of dispatches in the public service amounted to £6,533 14s. 4d. In December, 1856, communication was opened with Ballaarat; and in January, 1857, with Sandhurst, embracing en route Gisborne, Kyneton, and Castlemaine. In 1857, the number of messages transmitted reached 26,480; the revenue, £4,662 Is. 5d.; and the value of messages on the public service, £1,352 3s. 6d. Arrangements were also con- cluded between the respective Governments of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania for a mutual extension of lines to points at the boundaries of the several colonies where the communication might be joined, and a con- tinuous connection formed between Adelaide, Melbourne. Sydney, and Hobart Town, embracing all places of importance en route. The lines within Victoria, for carrying out the general scheme have been completed and in successful working order for several months past. The line from Melbourne to Adelaide was opened on July 19, 1858, but it is not expected that the entire line will be opened between Adelaide and Sydney before the latter part of the present year, and between Victoria and Tasmania in the early part of 1859. Offices are established and communication now open, at Melbourne, Kilmore, Longwood, Benalla, Wangaratta, Beech- worth, Belvoir, Albury, Sandhurst, Castlemaine, Kyneton, Gisborne, Sandridge, Williamstown, Geelong, Queenscliff, Ballaarat, Fiery Creek (Raglan), Streatham, Hexham, Warr- nambool, Belfast, Portland. Lines are at present under contract and in course of con- struction, which, when completed, will bring Melbourne into telegraphic connection with Maldon, Dunolly, Carisbrook, Maryborough, Avoca, Daylesford, Creswick, and Echuca. The line connecting with Tasmania will proceed from Gee- long to Cape Otway, via Apollo Bay, thence by submarine cable to King Island, thence to Three Hummock Island, thence to a point on the north coast of Tasmania. Commu- nication will be maintained with Cape Otway and King Island. THE BOTANICAL GARDENS. The Botanical Gardens at Melbourne are situated on the left bank of the River Yarra, and are within half-a-mile of the city. Improvements have been made, of late, to a considerable extent, under the direction of Dr. Ferdinand Mueller, the Government Botanist, who also in various ways has pro- moted the science of botany in this colony. Among the recent additions to the Melbourne Botanical Gar- dens are the following :—A palmhouse has been erected on one of the rises, a tasteful edifice, which, when filled with plants, VICTORIA. lzxi cannot fail to become very attractive to the friends of horticul- ture. The orchestra pavilion, built in a prominent part of the gardens, may be regarded as quite an ornament in the landscape, and numerous have been the visitors who have assembled around it in the afternoons, when, by the kindness of the officers of the 40th regiment, the military band was per- mitted to attend. An aviary, constructed of wood and wire, partially covered with climbers, and including some shrubs and small trees, has been erected in a gully below the rustic bridge; thus the sight and song of the birds may be fully enjoyed without disturbing them. Hitherto nightingales, thrushes, blackbirds, goldfinches, linnets, and a considerable number of canary birds have been contributed by the liberality of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria and of various donors. Our expectation of adding from this place many European song-birds to the Fauna of Australia, by giving freedom to the young broods, will at least, in regard to canary birds be fully realised. A small menagerie has been formed, chiefly of marsupial animals and of water birds ; for the latter, islands will be formed in the rather extensive lagoon, as soon as means permit. The footbridge built across the Yarra, by facilitating 60 much the access to the gardens, has greatly augmented the number of visitors: on an average more than 3000 enjoy, on Sundays alone, the recreation and instruction which the picturesque site of the garden, the manifold delightful views from its rises, and the variety of plants now under cultivation, afford. Many new walks have been formed through the lawns; some of them have lately been lined with young trees of the Moreton Bay grevillea, with the Illawarra flame-tree, and the poplar sterculia, all highly recommendable for avenues, as combining evergreen umbrageous foliage with beauty in habit and flower. A portion of the garden, recently laid out, exhibits a number of plants arranged according to systematic classification, principally intended for demonstrating to stu- dents the mutual affinities of plants. A medicinal and economical garden is under progress, which, it is hoped, will become of some importance when the Botanical Museum and Lecture Room shall be built in this establishment, so that living plants, their preparations, and their productions, as well as collections of dried plants, woods, fruits, &c., may be simultaneously studied under the aid of lectures, books, diagrams, &c. Meanwhile a collection of botanical specimens, from various parts of Australia, has been deposited in the University Museum, and another herbarium, restricted to Victorian plants, has been prepared for the Public Library. It is the intention to erect, in the centre of the garden, a spacious ornamental pavilion for horticultural exhibitions, occasional bazaars for benevolent purposes, &c. The contemplated extension of the Yan Yean pipes to this Ixxii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. establishment, will greatly tend to the improvement of the plantations in the elevated parts of the garden. The Pinetum, commenced on the abrupt declivities towards the lagoon, has latterly been extended by rows of arancarias and groups of other pines. All those parts of the garden which stood particularly in need of it, have within the last few months, been drained by under ground pipes. The number of different kinds of plants has been nearly doubled since last year, about 3,000 species being now under cultivation, of which it would be beyond the limits of these pages to specify all those of peculiar interest. But in the open grounds may be noticed the Paraguay and the Chinese tea, the cotton plant (producing occasionally, without pro- tection, its cotton), the sugar maple, the cork oaks, the Chinese tallow tree, the liquorice, the New Zealand flax, the manna ash, the Chinese grass-cloth plant, the different Kauri pines of East Australia, New Zealand, and the South Sea Islands, the famous Wellingtonia (the so-called " big tree " of California), the argan tree, the quandang, the Australian sassafras, the American sarsaparilla, the Mediterranean caper, the banya banya tree of Moreton Bay, the oak chesnut, Spanish chesnut, red cedar, sumach, corob tree, &c. In the greenhouses may be noticed the cochineal cactus, the cherimoyer, the staghorn ferns, the ginger, cardamon, cinnamon, and other spice plants, the monkey bread tree, several palms and screw pines, the anetto plant, the logwood tree, &c. The director of the gardens is particularly anxious to augment the number of useful plants in this establishment, and will endeavor to see them gradually distributed over the country. Public gardens, reserves, and ground for plantations, in various parts of the colony, are generally supplied with young plants from this establishment. Although an extensive correspondence has been opened with the administrators of public and private gardens of many countries, and although a regular system of inter- change commenced, it will be highly gratifying to the director of our gardens to be aided by the friendly co-operation of his patriotic fellow-colonists in introducing plants, chiefly of ornament or utility, from abroad. The requirements of a young and struggling establishment like this are numerous, but attention is directed to a paper on a general intro- duction of useful plants into Victoria, published this year in the second part of Vol. II. of the Transactions of the Philo- sophical Institute of Melbourne, containing a brief summary of some of the principal plants desirable either for our gardens or for distribution over the country. As an instance of how much remains to be accomplished in this direction, we may adduce, that of several hundred distinct kinds of South African heaths, not more than one dozen have been hitherto introduced into the VICTORIA. lxxiii gardens of Victoria, whilst most of them would thrive in our climate. The minute seeds of these and numerous other equally handsome plants might readily be conveyed in letters. Other large genera of the Cape flora, such as mesembryanthemums, pelargoniums, &c., are in an equally scanty proportion, represented in our gardens. It may be finally stated that the establishment would always be in a position to offer an equivalent for any contributions received. And whilst it is particularly desired that the vessels of our merchants will favor us occasionally with importations of living plants from foreign ports, the Government Botanist will always be extremely glad to afford information on the best method of packing plants, bulbs, seeds, &c., and will gladly assist by all means within his reach to promote the important object of rendering the vegetable treasures of other countries available to the colony. The Zoological Gardens are in course of formation on the opposite bank of the river. RELIGION. The names of the ministers of the various churches, and the places at which they severally reside, are inserted in Bradshaw's Monthly Guide to Victoria, The following table shows the number of persons and places of worship belonging to the principal religious denomi- nations, in the years 1851 and 1857 respectively, according to the census returns:— Church of England, &c. . Presbyterians Wesleyan Methodists Other Protestants .. Roman Catholics . . Jews Mahomedans and Pagans . Residue 1851. 1867 Persons. Churches, Persons. Churches. 37,433 7 175,418 99 11,608 8 65,935 66 4,888 5 28,305 102 4,313 2 27,521 69 18,014 5 77,361 64 364 1 2,208 4 201 27,254 424 6,774 77,345 28 '410,760 478 Totals Notb.—In the column for 1857 the numbers entered under the head of "Church of England, &c.," include 15,520 persons simply styling them- selves " Protestants," and 221 of the Free Church ; and under the head of "Other Protestants" are included 10,868 Independents, 6,484 Baptists, 6,574 Lutherans, 1,480 Unitarians, besides 2,125 belonging to minor sects. This arrangement is necessitated by the very limited nature of the Census Returns for 1851, with which comparison is made. We have endeavoured to secure information respecting the progress of the various denominations, and feel gratified in giving the following statements, supplied from authentic sources:— CHURCH OF ENGLAND. The Episcopalian Church in Victoria, as regards assistance or countenance from the State, is on precisely the same F* VICTORIA. appointed to the chaplaincy of St. James, and was succeeded by the Rev. J. Y. Wilson, now of Portland, and the Rev. A. C. Thomson, who, as stated, held the chaplaincy at the time of the bishop's arrival. On the 25th June, 1848, the bishop held his first ordination, and on the 31st of October, his first confirmation, when he administered the rite to eighty-seven persons. The first church consecrated by the bishop was St. Peter's, Melbourne, on the 29th of March, 1853: and the following churches have since been consecrated:—St. James's Cathedral, Melbourne; Trinity Church, Williamstown: and St. Stephen's, Richmond. None of the other churches throughout the diocese have as yet been consecrated, as this ceremony is not performed until the building stands altogether free from debt. In the mean time divine service is performed in them under the bishop's license. The progress of the Church of England since the arrival of the bishop has been so far satisfactory, that it has gained upon a population increasing with almost unparalleled rapidity. The proportion in 1848 was about one clergyman to 13,000 of the whole people, now it is about one to 17,400, exclusive of lay- readers. There are three archdeaconries; Melbourne, Geelong, and Portland; including Bourke, and the countries west and south of it. The other parts of the diocese are under no subor- dinate superintendence. At the present time there are sixty- three duly licensed clergymen officiating in different parts of the diocese, assisted by a number of lay-readers; and, exclusive of tents and buildings belonging to private individuals, there are one hundred and thirty-eight places of worship, of which upwards of thirty are large, and generally handsome churches. The number of the members of the Church of England in the diocese is about 100,000, the population of the whole colony being about 470,000. In connexion with the church, and assisted by the Denomi- national Board, there are 169 schools, conducted by 250 teachers, with an average attendance of 8,439 children, and about 13,141 on the books. A few of the schools, particu- larly on the new gold-fields, are held in tents capable of removal from place to place; and some are in buildi igs hired or lent, while there are several substantial buildings of biick, iron, or wood. Two very handsome grammar schools have also been erected, one in Melbourne, the other in Geelong (see pariiculars else- where). They have been built partly by subscription and partly by grants from the Colonial Government. About 200 youths are now receiving a liberal education in them, and there is accommodation for a much larger number. A mission to the Aborigines has been established on the south bank of the Murray River, opposite to its junction with the Darling River, on a piece of land granted for that purpose Ixxvi HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. by the Government. Its missionaries have been successful in gaining the confidence of the natives, who freely resort to them, and leave their children to their care; but the migra- tory habits of the people present a hitherto insuperable barrier to the progress of the work. The great wants of the Church of England in this diocese are, first, a mission to the Chinese—(a Chinese mission has been in operation in Victoria for some years, connected with various churches)—and secondly, a mission to the scattered European population, whether pastoral or engaged upon the new and changeable gold fields. If men suitable to the work could be obtained, there is little doubt but that they would be supported by the people. A very important act was passed by the Colonial Legislature in the year 1854, authorising the bishop, clergy and laity of the Church of England to assemble periodically and legislate for its own government. So much importance did the tishop attach to this act, that, it having been reserved for the Royal assent, he went to England for the express purpose of repre- senting its necessity before the question of the giving or with- holding the Royal assent should be decided; and there is every reason to believe that had not this step been taken, the Act of the Colonial Legislature would not have been ratified. The Assembly is a representative body. It held its first sitting on the 11th October, 1856, and has had since then three sittings, having passed some very important acts, among which may be mentioned those relating to the constitution of parishes, and to church patronage (which is now very much in the hands of the laity), the trial of ecclesiastical offences, and the management of the temporal affairs of the church; they have also considered very attentively its financial position, and have agreed to suggestions for raising one general church fund, with a parochial fund in every parish, which it is believed if acted upon, will be found most valuable in providing for the temporal wants of the diocese. On the whole, although the progress of the Church of England in Victoria has been far from what it ought to have been, considering the number of its members, and though many parts of the diocese are still in a state of religious destitution, it has certainly gained rather than lost ground within the last eleven years, and has been enabled to adapt itself to the altered position of the colony, so as still to present its ordinances unchanged and unmutilated to a constantly changing population, and to hold on its way under circumstances as new to its bishop and ministers as to its people. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. The Very Rev. P. B Geoghegan, the senior Vicar-General of the Diocese, and present Pastor of Williamstown, may be termed the Pioneer of the Roman Catholic Mission in Victoria, VICTORIA. Lxxvii for he was the first priest who set foot on her shores, and cele- brated his first Mass on Pentecost Sunday, 19th May, 1889, in an unroofed store at the corner of Elizabeth and Little Collins streets, where the C lonial Bank of Australasia now stands. In a short time the Government granted a site for a church at the intersection of Elizabeth and Lonsdale streets; a temporary wooden building was put up, and on this spot was founded on tht 4th October, 1841, the Church of St. Francis, which was formally opened for Divine service, October 23rd, 1845, and is one of the neatest ecclesiast:cal structures in the Metropolis. For several years "Father Geoghegan" had devolving upon him the spiritual responsibility of a rapidly increasing Catholic population, and the number of ministers coming to his aid was very limited, until the consecration of the Right Rev. Dr. Goold as first bishop, who arrived overland from Sydney, on the 4th October, 1848, the anniversary of the foundation of St. Francis. By thi< time several churches were erected throughout the country, and the efforts of the bishop to propagate the faith and extend the mission were powerfully assisted by the establishment of the Catholic Association, which was inaugurated by the bishop, Dr Geoghegan, and the clergy and laity, at a public meeting held in St. Francis' Hall, on the fourth Sunday of January, 1849. One of the primary objects of this institution was the organization of a fund for procuring clergymen from home, and in effecting this it was eminently successful, for large sums were subscribed and economically and judiciously applied to the designed pur- pose. By such means the bishop was enabled to meet the frequent demands upon him for more pastors, and the sub- joined facts will best show the present state of the mission. At the date we write the Roman Catholic population may be estimated at between 70,000 and 80,000; and exclusive of the bishop, there are two vicars-general, 30 priests, 64 churches, 1 college, and 1 convent. There are 91 Catholic schools in connexion with the Denominational System, and these were attended (as per recent returns) by 5,369 pupils, viz., 2,703 boys, and 2,666 girls. They are superintended by 84 teachers and 45 assistant teachers; but in considering the educational progress made, a large number of private Catholic schools must not be overlooked, though there is no reliable data at the mo- ment available for ascertaining their extent. In addition to these should be mentioned the St. Patrick's Diocesan College, East Melbourne, presided over by the Very Rev. L. B. Shiel, assisted by a professorial staff. This establishment prepares students for the Church and the liberal learned professions. The convent school, under the management of the Sisters of Mercy, imparts a superior education to a number of young ladies, and in a few months the building additions in course of erection will enable accommodation to be made for the reception of boarders. Amongst the Catholic charitable insti- F* 2 Ixxviii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. tutions, the most prominent is the St Vincent de Paul's Orphanage, Emerald Hill. It is a becoming memento of the zealous labors of its founder, the late Rev. G. A. Ward, is sustained by voluntary contributions, and can receive at least one hundred children. The foundation stone of St. Augus- tine's Orphanage, Geelong, was laid by the Bishop, on the 3rd Sunday of Lent, 1857, and was opened August 28th, 1858. A House of Refuge is about to be opened by the Sisters of Mercy; its object is to provide an asylum for the many unprotected young women who are occasionally passengers in immigrant ships from Europe. The building is being vigorously pro- ceeded with. WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH. The first sermon preached in Melbourne by a Christian minister was delivered by the late Rev. Joseph Orton. Wes- leyan minister, who, in 1837, visited Port Phillip from Hobart Town, with reference to the establishment of a mission to the Aborigines, and also to ascertain the probabilities of com- mencing a cause among the few Europeans and others who had begun to settle on the land. The late Rev. B. Hurst and the Rev. F. Tuckfield were the first ministers of the Wesleyan Church who were appointed to Port Phillip. They came from England early in 1838, and commenced a mission to the Abo- rigines at Bunting Dale, near Lake Colac. This mission was abandoned in 1848, the results having been most unsatisfac- tory. The Rev. Wilkinson was appointed to Melbourne in 1840, before which period a society had been formed, and ser- vices regularly conducted by local preachers, who were visited and assisted occasionally by Messrs. Hurst an i Tuckfield, from Bunting Dale. The first chapel was erected in Collins-street, in 1840 and 1841. About the same time chapels were erected at Williamstown and Geelong. In 1850, ten years after the appointment of the first minister, the number of ministers had increased to five, the Rev. Wm. Butters having charge: whilst in and around Melbourne, Geelong, and Portland, there were nearly 6 0 church members. The number of chapels had also considerably increased. Since 1850, the Wesleyan Church has, to a considerable ex- tent, kept pace with the rapid growth of the institutions of the colony. The more settled state of the population, and the improved organization of the societies in consequence of the appointment of ministers to nearly all parts of the interior, render it easy to obtain statistics. At the conference of the Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Church, held in Hobart Town in January, 1858, the following statistics were officially recorded as those of the Victoria district:—Ministers, 30; local preachers, 259 ; Sunday school teachers, 895; chapels, 96 ; other preaching places, including school houses. 41; church members, VICTORIA. lxxix 3,194; on trial for membership, 324; number of children in the Sabbath schools, 6,819; number of Sabbath schools, 98; num- ber of persons regularly attending the Wesleyan ministry, about 26,300. There were also 65 day schools, in which about 4,500 children were receiving instruction, and in which 125 teachers were employed. Several large and respectable places of worship are now being erected in various parts of the colony, among which may be particularly named the elegant church in Lonsdale-street, the substantial and handsome chapels in St. Kilda and Ballaarat, and a neat and suitable building just commenced at the corner of Bourke and William streets. Applications have been received for the appointment of ad- ditional ministers in various parts of the gold-fields, and the staff will be considerably increased in a short time. The Rev. D. J. Draper is chairman of the district. CONGREGATIONALISTS OR INDEPENDENTS. These two designations are indifferently applied to the same body of Christians. The doctrines held and preached by them accord generally with those found in the standards of the Esta- blished Churches of England and Scotland. The Independents and Baptists are identical in every respect in their sentiments and usages, except on the point of baptism, the former practis- ing paedo-baptism, the latter confining themselves to the baptism of adults. The commencement of Congregationalism in Victoria dates as far back as 1837, and was owing to the zeal of Henry Hopkins, Esq., of Hobart Town, who, on visiting Port Phillip, and seeing the opening a young colony presented for useful labor, wrote to the Congregational Colonial Missionary Society in England to send out a minister for the new settlement of Melbourne. The Rev. W. Waterfield accordingly came in the year 1838. Worship was for a time carried on in a temporary place, but on September 3, 1838, the foundation stone of the first permanent building in Victoria for ecclesias- tical purposes, was laid on the Eastern-hill, Collins-street, then untouched bush; and the church was opened for public use on January 1st, 1841. The Hon. J. P. Fawkner, M.L.C., one of the founders of the colony, took an active part in these proceedings. In March, 1843, Mr. Waterfield removed to Van Diemen's Land, where he still labors at Green Ponds, and was succeeded in the course of the same year by the Rev. Alexander Morison, who was sent over by the Home Missionary Society of that colony, and who still continues to be the pastor of this parent church. The Rev. B. Cuzens, the minister next arriving, took charge, in 1849, of the church then seeking esta- blishment in Geelong. The following year, 1850, when the Rev. T. Odell arrived, a second church at the west end of Melbourne commenced, with the cordial concurrence and co- lxxx HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA operation of the first church, Mr. Odell being chosen pastor; ultimately the excellent Gothic chapel in Lonsdale-strset, in which he now officiates, was erected. The arrival, in 1853, of the Rev. \V. B. Landells, who left England on account of his health, led to the formation of a third church, at Collingwood, and the building of a handsome Grecian chapel in Oxford- street. As openings presented themselves, and as ministers arrived, initial steps were taken to organize congregations in various localities, and by 1853 churches were formed and ministers settled at Prahran, Richmond, Brighton, St. Kilda, Geelong, and Kyneton ; these were the Rev. W. Moss, Prahran; Rev. J. Simper, succeeded by Rev. J. P. Sunderland, Richmond; Rev. J. Apperly and Rev. A. Scales, at Geelong. The Colonial Missionary Society in England deeming it desirable, from the great influx of population arising from the gold discovery, to furnish an additional supply of ministers for Victoria, sent out the Revds. R. Fletcher, J. L Poore, and E. Day, who arrived in March, 1854; and in due course there arrived, under the auspices of the same society, the Revds. H. Thomas, B.A., G. C. Morrison, M.A. (deceased), and W. R. Fletcher, M.A, W. C. Robinson, W. R. Lewis, J. Summers, J. Sleigh, J. H. Jackson, R. Bowman, J. Firth, J. G. Reed, B.A. (deceased). The Rev. W. A. Lind, late of the London Missionary Society, is settled at Ballaarat. Immediately on the arrival of Messrs. Fletcher and Poore, a Home Missionary Society was formed to further the work of evangelization, and a large sum of money was subscribed,—but the commercial crisis which fol- lowed soon after brought it to a close in about two years. A second society was established in January, 1857, and is now in active operation. A fund was raised for bringing out addi- tional ministers for this and the neighbouring colonies, which amounted to near £2,400, of which £1,200 was furnished by Victoria, and Mr. Poore was sent to England to endeavour to augment this fund by subscriptions, and to look out and send men suitable for the work. The result of this effort has been the arrival in Australia of sixteen ministers. The statistics of the body, as nearly as can be ascertained, are as follow:—About 27 congregations worshipping every Sabbath; 21 churches regularly formed, the remaining six con- gregations being recently gathered and not yet fully organized. Of the 27 places of worship, about 13 are permanent structures, i.e. built of brick or stone, and 14 are temporary, built of wood or iron. There are about 23 ministers settled over con- gregations, and 5 or 6 without pastoral charges. In several cases a manse is provided for the minister's use. A Congregational Union for Victoria was formed, the last meeting of which was held in May, 1856. This has been succeeded by another, which was established in October, 1857, and of which the Rev. W. B. Landells is chairman for the present year. VICTORIA. Ixxxi Free Conferences of ministers and laymen, delegated from he unions of the four colonies of Australia, have been held; the first in Melbourne, in February, 1855; the second in Sydney, in February, 1857; and the last in Hobart Town, in February, 1858, when various resolutions were passed affect- ing the interests of the denomination at large. Under the auspices of these conferences a monthly periodical for the use of the four colonies has been established, the Southern, Spectator, edited by the Rev. R. Fletcher, of St. Kilda. An organization was formed for providing education for ministerial candidates, but only one or two students have as yet presented themselves. The denomination cannot show imposing figures in rela- tion to day-school education. They have but few schools in connexion with the Denominational Board as they have not generally supported that system, but for the most part have thrown in their influence to support the National schools. A Sunday school is attached to nearly every chapel. BAPTISTS. The first organisation of Baptists in the Colony of Victoria was effected in the year 1841, by Mr. J. J. Mouritz of Colling- wood. About the close of 1842, the Rev. John Ham, of Bir- mingham, having on his way to Sydney touched at the Port of Melbourne, was induced by the prospects of usefulness presented to him to remain at Melbourne for a time, no regularly ordained Baptist minister having arrived previously. Mr. Ham preached for some time in the Hall of the Mechanics' Institution and was so successful that he felt it his duty, at the earnest solicitation of the friends who had rallied round him, to settle permanently among them. Accordingly a church was formed on the 2uth July, 1843, and the foundation stone of the Collins-street chapel was laid by the Rev. John Saunders, of Sydney, in June, 1845. The Rev. John Ham continued his pastoral care of the Collins-street church till the close of 1847, when the state of his health compelled him to remove to a milder climate, and he accepted the pastorate of the Baptist Church at Sydney, vacated by the Rev. John Saunders, on account of ill-health. During the residence of Mr. Ham in Melbourne, a mission to the Aborigines was organised and sustained for several years by the Collins-street church. This mission was confined to the young, and for some time gave indications of success. The children of the Yarra tribe, with a few others were located at the junction of the Merri Creek with the Yarra, where commodious buildings were erected, and where the boys were taught gardening and the girls needlework, in addition to the usual religious and secular education. It had, however, to be abandoned, partly owing to the evil influence of the Ixxxii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. white population, and partly to the proximity of the parents of the pupils, who generally induced their children to leave the establishment as they grew up, and to adopt the roving habits of their ancestors. From 1847 to 1856 no organised effort was made by the denomination to obtain ministerial services: and during that period the churches in Melbourne were supplied by the Rev. W. P. Scott, Mr. John Lush, and other lay members. Mr. Lash preached very acceptably in the Collins-street chapel for several years; and during this period churches were formed and chapels erected at Geelong, Brighton, Prahran, Kew, &c. The prospects of this body of Christians is at present very cheering. The arrival of the Rev. James Taylor and the Eev. Isaac New, both from Birmingham, has been hailed with delight, and there is every reason to believe that the labors of these gentlemen will be greatly blessed. Churches are being organised in many parts of the country and more ministers for this colony, are on their way from England. The present number of Uaptists in Victoria is about 6,000, so that the wants of the people cannot be met for some time to come. The Collins-street chapel has lately been much enlarged to accommodate the increasing congregation, under the ministry of the Rev. James Taylor, while the church at Albert-street are compelled to erect a much larger building than that they have occupied, under the ministry of the Rev. I. New. Early in the present year (1858) the " Baptist Association of Victoria " was formed, having in view among other objects the formation of a fund to aid in the outfit and passage of min- isters for the colony, as well as their temporary support after their arrival. Already there are ten churches enrolled in this association; and under its auspices a denominational magazine has appeared, entitled "The Australasian Baptist Magazine," edited by the Revs. New and Taylor. This effort to do good is likely to be successful, judging from the character of the two numbers which have been published. PRESBYTERIANS. The Presbyterians of Victoria are chiefly natives of Scotland and the north of Ireland. By the last census (March 1857), it appears that the number of Presbyterians in this colony at that date was 65,935, being more than a sixth of the whole population, and the influence of the denomination may be estimated by the fact that of the thirty gentlemen who compose the Legislative Council of Victoria, more than one-third are Presbyterians. The first Presbyterian minister who preached the Gospel in the district, then known as Port Phillip, was the Eev. James Clow, a retired Indian Chaplain, who came to Australia for his health, upwards of twenty one years ago; and who still VICTORIA. lxxxiii lives to benefit the Church by his long experience and mature wisdom. The first Presbyterian minister settled in Melbourne, was the late Rev. James Forbes, who departed this life in 1851, greatly lamented. The Rev. Andrew Love arrived soon after Mr. Forbes, and settled at Geelong. As the Presbyterian Church of Australia was an offshoot of the Church of Scotland, and as immigrants from Scotland were continually arriving with Scotch feelings and sympathies, the Church here soon felt the influence of the disruption of 1843. Mr. Forbes, of Melbourne, went with the Free Church move- ment, and he was soon joined by the Rev. John Tait, Geelong; and the Rev. Thomas Hastie, Buninyong. The Free Church Synod was strengthened subsequently by the Revds. Adam Cairns, D.D., and Macintosh Mackay, L.L.D., as well as by several j ounger brethren. Mr. Forbes was succeeded in the Scots Church by the Rev. Irving Hetherington; and the Synod of Victoria (Mr. Hetherington's) has received supplies of ministers botn from Scotland and Ireland. The Presbyterianism of Victoria is divided into three branches: viz., the Synod of Victoria, Free Church, and United Presbyterians. The church courts and ministers of these sections profess amicable relations with each other, but the evils of division are felt, and a general union has been long contemplated; articles of union are under consideration, em- bracing adherence to the Westminster Standards, and the independence of the proposed United Church, which is to be called the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. There are six Presbyterian congregations in the city of Melbourne proper, and nine more in the immediate suburbs, including St. Kilda. The churches in which some of these congregations worship, such as Chalmers' Church, St. Andrew's Church, and the Scots' Church, are very handsome and commodious buildings. The number of ordained Presbyterian ministers now (October 1858) in Victoria, is fifty-seven. These are located all over the colony, and the are several probationers about to be ordained. The Church of Scotland has always been famous for the interest she has taken in education, and the Presbyterians of Victoria are in this respect proving themselves worthy of the parent church. Many of the congregations have efficient week-day schools and Sabbath schools; and there is, besidt 3 the Central Institute in Melbourne, the Scotch College (see another page), which holds a high place as a school of learning. UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCHES. This body of Christians has for some years been known in the colony under the name of the Wesleyan Methodist Association; but in consequence of the amalgamation in lxxxiv HANDBOOK TO ATJSTRALASTA. England of the Wesleyan Reformers with the Wesleyan Metho- dist Association, in 1857, the new designation of the "United Methodist Free Churches " has been adopted, thus effecting a similar combination in Australasia. This union of two very considerable secessions from the original conference body of Methodists has been effected by the acceptance of certain principles laid down as "the basis of union," the principal features of which are, that "the will of God, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, is the only and sufficient rule of Christian faith, practice, church organization and government; and that as every Church has a scriptural right to determine all questions affecting its own officers, members, religious ordi- nances, or other local affairs, no conference, annual assembly, or other meeting, however constituted, has any scriptural right to make any law or rule relative thereto, or to alter or annul the decisions of any church or circuit." The annual assem- bly of this denomination is constituted of the freely chosen representatives of the churches in circuit, and its general pur- poses are to provide and station itinerant preachers, and to manage the funds raised for the promulgation of the Gospel at home and abroad, or to effect the union of any other churches that may be desirous of joining the connexion. In the year 1851 the Rev. Joseph Townend arrived from England as a missionary belonging to the Wesleyan Methodist Association, and preached his first sermon in a small room or preaching place in Collingwood, to a company consisting of about 40 persons. Amid many difficulties and discourage- ments he succeeded in raising and enlarging a church upon the principles of Christian liberty advocated by the Association in England. A chapel was erected in Albert-street, Colling- wood, which was afterwards purchased by the corporation, and the present neat structure raised in George-street. Chapels have lately been erected also in Hoddle-street, Collingwood; at Pentridge, Kew, Richmond, and Tullamarine. At Windsor one is in course of erection, and preaching places are estab- lished in Brunswick and Quarries. The number of itinerant preachers is increased to four, two for Melbourne, one for Geelong, and one for Ballaarat. At the annual assembly held in Geelong, January, 1858, the following statistics were recorded:—Number of circuits 4, viz., Melbourne, Geelong, Hobart Town, and Adelaide. Total number of members, 244; chapels and preaching places, 15; local preachers, 29; average number of the congregation, 988; Sabbath schools, 12 (scholars, 669; teachers, 66); day schools, 3 (scholars, 150; teachers, 4). During the year there has been an increase of circuits, chapels, and schools. Application has also been made to England for at least six additional missionaries to meet the various openings which have been presented to the United Methodist Free churches. VICTORIA. lxxxv GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH. The first body of German immigrants, chiefly Lutherans, arrived in Melbourne in 1849. These were followed by similar bodies in 1850. Having no ordained minister able to speak their tongue, they met for prayer and the reading of the word of God in the Rev. A. Morison's chapel in the afternoon of every Lord's day. Twice an attempt was made to form a Lutheran church and congregation in Melbourne, in 1850, by the Rev. M. Rupprecht, and two years later by the Rev. A. Kappler, but both attempts failed. The number of Germans, however, having considerably increased through the gold dis- covery, the Rev M. Goethe succeeded in forming congregations at Melbourne, and Germantown, near Geelong, towards the close of 1852. The first church was erected on the Eastern Hill, Melbourne, in 1858 and 1854. About the same time a school-room was erected at Germantown. At the time of the first Lutheran Synod, held in Melbourne in May, 1856, the number of ordained ministers in Victoria was three, and that of teachers three. Since that time the number of ministers has increased to five, that of teachers to seven, and that of churches and chapels to six. UNITARIANS. The first steps to organize this body in Melbourne, were taken at a meeting of its members (ten in number), at Mr. Duerdin's residence, 29th November, 1852. The Unitarians celebrated public worship for the first time in the colony at the Mechanics' Institution, on Sunday, 8€th January, 1853, the Rev. Maxwell Davidson officiating as minister. A subscription was at the same time started towards erecting a church, and the present edifice on the Eastern-hill was opened on the 16th April, 1854. This building (which is even now in a very unfinished state) cost upwards of £4,000. In October, 1857, Mr. Davidson relinquished office as minister, and was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Higginson, brother-in-law of the well-known James Martineau, an Unitarian Minister in England. The number of avowed Unitarians in the colony, according to the last census, is 1,500. The Unitarians have recently opened a temporary place of worship at St. Kilda, under the ministration of the Rev. William Bowen, M.A. A church belonging to this denomination has also Jbeen lately built at Ballaarat. JEWISH RELIGION. The first public meeting of the Jews for divine service was held at the stores of Messrs. Benjamin, Collins-street, in 1840, at which about ten persons assembled. In 1841, about twenty- G * lxxxvi HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. five persons commenced holding services on the "Rowsh Harshono" (new year) at the building known as the Port Phillip Club Hotel, Flinders-street, service being performed on this and previous occasions by lay members of the community. The first congregation was then established under the desig- nation of the Sheirith Yisrael Melbourne Hebrew Congrega- tion, and subsequent services were regularly held in a room belonging to Messrs Benjamin, devoted by them exclusively for this purpose, Mr. A. H. Hart acting as hon. reader. In 1844 a grant of land was obtained from the Government for building a synagogue, on the site where it is at present situated in Bourke-street west, Melbourne, and also a portion of land for their use as a cemetery. In 1847 the small syna- gogue was opened at the rear of the present building. In 1848 the Jewish Philanthropic Society was established, and the following year the Rev. Moses Rintel was appointed minister of the community. In 1854, in consequence of the increased number of Jewish residents, the present large synagogue was erected, at a cost of £7000, and is now decorated and completed The Rev. E M. Myers was elected minister of the congregation in May, 1857, in place of the Rev. Moses Rintel, resigned. In 1856 " The United Friends Jewish Benefit Society " was established, and the Rev. Moses Rintel was elected its first President. In March, 1857, a numerous meeting of the Jewish commu- nity residing in the east end of the city was held, for the purpose of founding a local synagogue, which from its desira- bility was at once established, under the title of the "Mickva Yisrael Melbourne Synagogue." Solomon Solomons, Esq., was elected president, and M. Nelson, Esq , treasurer. The Rev. M. Rintel consenting to officiate as minister, they at once proceeded to and obtained the necessary registrations, and secured their right to the use of the burial ground and mor- tuary chapel. The first service was held in Spring-street (in the premises formerly used as the Melbourne Grammar School), and in consequence of the increase of its members more extensive premises were leased in Great Lonsdale-street, east. The residents in that part of the city availing them- selves of its proximity, the synagogue is regularly opened for divine service on Mondays and Thursdays, the four times on every Sabbath and festivals, and oftener when required. As soon as a site shall have been secured, it is the intention to erect a synagogue in that part of the city. In 1858 the Jewish ladies of Melbourne established a society, supported by voluntary contributions, for the purpose of sup- plying medical assistance, clothing, and nourishments to poor married Jewish women during their accouchement. VICTORIA. lxxxvii EDUCATION. THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE. Is a corporation established by an Act of Council, 16 Vict., c. 34, to which the Royal Assent was given by His Excellency C. J. LaTrobe, Esq., on the 22nd January, 1853. Constitution.—The University at present consists of a council only, to which a senate consisting of all masters of arts doctors of law medicine and music will be added so soon as the number of such graduates has reached one hundred. All executive power is now, and will then remain in the hands of the council, but all alterations in statutes and regulations and all additions to them will ultimately be subject to the veto of the senate. At present they require only the approbation of His Excellency the Governor. The council, in which the whole management of the affairs of the University is vested, consists, according to the Act, of twenty members, sixteen of whom must be laymen. The council was originally appointed and vacancies therein are still filled up by the Governor. After the constitution of the senate, vacancie . will be filled up by that body. The chancellor and the vice-chancellor are appointed by the council out of its own members. Hitherto the elections have been annual. The former office has been filled since the establishment of the University by His Honor Mr. Justice Barry, the latter is held at present by A. C. Brownless, Esq.; M.D. There are four professors of the following subjects:—1. Phi- lology and Logic; 2. Mathematics; 3. Natural Science; 4. History and Political Economy; and two Lecturers in Law. The professors are not members of the council, but form a board, of which the chancellor and vice-chancellor are ex officio members, to superintend the studies of the University under the statutes, and to furnish to the council such infor- mation as that body may require. . No religious test is required from any member officer or student of the University. The University has an annual endowment of £9000. Degrees —The University may confer the following degrees: bachelor of arts, master of arts, bachelor of medicine, doctor of medicine, bachelor of laws, doctor of laws, bachelor of music, doctor of music, after examination: or without examination on graduates of other universities. Course of Study.—This is at present prescribed in one faculty only, that of arte. The student, after passing the matriculation examination is required to attend lectures in the University during three years ;* at the end of the first to pass an examination in five of the courses of lectures of that 9 These regulations, so far as regards attendance an lectures, are now altered. See last paragraph p. lxxxix. lxxxviii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. year; at the end of the second, in five of the courses of the second, together with the subjects of the first; at the end of the third, in five of the courses of the third, and the subjects of the second. Passing this last examination will entitle to the degree of B.A., if the candidate has attended lectures and passed examinations on Greek and Latin each for two years, and on Geometry and Natural Philosophy each for one year. The higher degree of M.A. is attainable at the close of two years after the B.A., on passing a further examination and attending two courses of lectures during that period. It will be seen that none can attain a degree in the Univer- sity of Melbourne, save those who are able to master to some extent both classics and mathematics. Exhibitions, Scholarships and Honors.—At matriculation there are two exhibitions of £50 each, one for classics and one for mathematics. At the close of the first year, the names of all who pass with credit are arranged in classes, and two exhibitions of £50 each are awarded, one for classics and English, one for mathematics. At the end of the second year, the names are arranged in the same way, and four exhibitions of the same value are giveD for classics and English, mathema- tics, natural science, history and logic. Those who have passed the ordinary B.A. examination can obtain honors in either or all of four schools, language and logic, mathematics and physics, natural science, social science; and two scholarships of £100 a year, tenable for two years, are annually awarded. Buildings.—Trie foundation stone of the University was laid on the 3rd July, 1854, by His Excellency Sir Charles Hotham. The portion already erected forms three sides of a quadrangle in the late perpendicular style, the south side which will be the front towards Melbourne being unbuilt. On the east and the west sides are the professorsS lodgings, two lec- ture rooms, the registry, &c. The north side contains on the ground floor the natural philosophy apparatus room with a lecture theatre adjoining, also the natural science apparatus room, laboratory and lecture theatre. In the centre is the staircase leading to The Museum.—Here are placed the University and the National Collection, which well merit a visit; but though great pains have been taken to economise space in the four large rooms in which the collections are contained, still they do not p (ford sufficient accommodation for the proper display of the specimens. (See other page.) The Library consists of about 3000 volumes, which are at present placed in the registry. The books are mainly illustra- tive of the four departments of study on which lectures are given in the University. The collection of books should be more numerous in a University library, but the available surplus of the annual endowment has of late been mainly devoted to the improvement of the grounds. xc HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. The number of students attending the Lectures in Law is now thirty-two, from which fact it may fairly be presumed that other courses of special education, as for example, Medicine and Engineering, would, if provided by the Uni- versity, draw many more Alumni to her walls. DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS. On the 11th February, 1848, the Denominational School Board was appointed to superintend the temporal regulation and inspection of the respective Denominational Schools in the colony, then the district of Port Phillip, supported either wholly or in part from the public funds, it being clearly laid down, according to the minute of their instructions, that all that related to the religious teaching would be exclusively entrusted to and regulated by the resident clergyman of the denomination to which the school belonged. At that early period, the Board had under its direction only 27 schools, containing in the aggregate 2,596 children under education, whilst the total population of the colony was 60,390. At the present time (Oct. 1858), with a population of about 480,000, the Board has under its supervision 460 schools, with an attendance of about 30,000 children, the proportion of children attending Denominational schools to the total population at each period being respectively 1 in 23 and 1 in 16. The progress of Denominational Schools since the com- mencement of the operations of the Board in 1849, may be shown as follows:— At the At Denomina- end of Schools. Scholars. Population, tional schools. 1849 17 2,596 60,390 1 in 23 1850 64 3,870 69,739 1 „ 18 1851 74 4,999 83,360 1 „ 17 185-2 89 6 836 148,627 1 „ 22 1853 125 9,617 19S.496 1 „ 21 1854 213 14,364 273,865 1 1i 1855 300 17,711 319,379 1 ,. 18 1856 308 21,267 348,460 1 „ 16 1857 ea 27,314 449,207 1 „ 18 The instruction given in Denominational Schools (besides the moral and religious training carried on under the direction of clergymen of different denominations) comprises reading, writing, grammar, arithmetic, geography, natural science, music, and drawing. In many schools, however, in addition to the above, algebra and geometry are taught, while in a fe there are classes for French and Latin. The children frequenting the schools range in age between four and sixteen. The majority of the children attending VICTORIA. xci the schools lies between the age of eight and eleven, and after twelve their numbers sensibly decrease. The teachers in the Denominational Schools are, for the most part, as efficient as could be expected in so young a colony, un- assisted by complete normal or training establishments. The salaries received by them vary from about £120 per annum, to about £400. Some of them receive about £300, although the average throughout the whole colony of masters' salaries, does not exceed £200 per annum. The salaries of mistresses average £150 per annum, so that mistresses appear on the whole to be better remunerated, in proportion, than masters. All teachers and assistants appointed must submit to an examination under the Inspector of the district in which the school may be situated. There are at present employed under the Board about 900 teachers. The officers of the Board for carrying out the superinten- dence of the schools and examination of teachers, &c, are five inspectors, each superintending a separate and well defined district. There is also a Normal Inspector, who, in addition to the ordinary duties of a District Inspector, directs the Church of England training establishment at St. James's. The Secretary transacts the general business of the office. The colony is divided, for inspectoral purposes, into the following divisions: — Central Southern district, Mr. R H. Budd; Central Western district, Mr. Sasse; Central Eastern district, Mr. Geary; Ballaarat district, Mr. Bonwick; Sandhurst and Castlemaine, Mr. Parker; Geelong district, Mr. Miller. Statement of Schools in operation, shewing number on the Roll and average attendance for 31st December, 1857. a 4 On the Roll. Average Attendance ~ o oolt rati & "4 A 9 ' 3 & S 3 1 1o o * 1 sa o M o Eh « o & Church of England .. 189 6,212 5,705 11,947 4,098 3,478 7,576 Soots' Church .. 17 596 494 1,090 428 340 768 Free Church .. 35 1,249 1,071 2,320 876 711 1,587 69 2,577 2,249 4,826 1,683 1,330 3,018 Wesleyan Association.. 2 81 95 176 51 50 101 Independent .. 9 249 209 458 192 156 348 Baptist 1 12 «1 63 8 32 40 77 64 141 61 44 105 Bible Christian .. 1 31 66 97 19 35 54 Roman Catholic . .. 91 2,703 2,666 5,369 1,842 1,855 3,697 1 24 32 56 .. Congregational .. 1 56 56 112 37 30 67 Primitive Methodists.. 1 37 18 50 22 7 29 420 13,934 12,771 26,705 9,317 8,068 17,385 1 xcii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA NATIONAL SCHOOLS. The sum contributed by the State in 1851 towards Educa- tion was £3,470; the amount voted in 1857 by the Legislature for primary schools was j£125,000, which, under the manage- ment of the two educational boards, the Denominational and the National, provided schooling for 31,086 children. The most recent statistics of schools are given in the subjoined table : — Number of Schools. Number of Scholars. 1851. 1857 1851. 1857. Denominational Schools 74 6 49 399 101 138 5,208 261 1,601 24,973 6,113 3,437 National Schools Private Schools Totals 129 638 7,070 34,523 In 1851, the number of schools was 129, or one school for every 600 persons, and 7,070 scholars, or one in 11 of the popu- lation. In 1857, the number of schools was 638, or one in 600, and the scholars were 34,323, or one in 11. With reference to practical results, we find that in 1851 the number of the population who could read and write was 44,631, or more than 58 per cent.; while in 1857, the number who could read and write was 249,386, or upwards of 60 per cent. The Board of Commissioners for National Education was incorporated during the first session of the Legislative Council in Victoria, in 1851, shortly after the separation of the colony from New South Wales, for the object, as expressed in the Act of Incorporation, of "superintending the formation and ma- nagement of schools, to be conducted under Lord Stanley's national system of education." The Board commenced its operations in the early part of 1852. The following table shows the progressive increase in the number of schools and scholars, up to the present time:— Tear. No. of On the Average Schools. Bolls. Attendance. 1861 6 842 1852 9 652 362 1863 27 1783 908 1854 42 2969 1772 1865 58 3632 2509 1866 86 4804 3663 1857 101 6113 (461 This increase would have been much greater, had not the Board, during the past three years, been most seriously ham- pered from want of funds. In connexion with the Board, a Model School and Training Establishment has been formed. In the former, it is intended that the best modes of instruction shall be exhibited ; and in victoria. xciii the latter, persons desirous of qualifying themselves for the office of teachers are instructed and trained, while they receive practical lessons in the art of teaching in the model schools. Of the number of children on the rolls in 1857 :— 2439 or 40 per cent, were Church of England. 1481 or 24 „ „ Presbyterian 705 or 12 „ „ Wesleyan. 392 or 6 ,, Independent. 781 or 13 „ ,, Roman Catholic. 316 or 5 „ „ Other Denominations. The building is situated at the corner of Spring and Lonsdale Streets, Melbourne. CHURCH OF ENGLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL, MELBOURNE. This handsome and capacious edifice, situated on the St. Kilda road, was constructed for the purpose of meeting a want that had long been felt previous to its erection,—the want of a superior school for the education of boys in this colony. It has been built by members of the Church of England, assisted by a liberal grant from the Government. The sum of £50,000 was, in the year 1853, voted by the legislature in aid of gram- mar schools in connexion with the various Christian denom- inations; the proportion falling to the Church of England beiDg £20,783 14s. In addition to this, grants of land were made, and thus aided several very superior educational esta- blishments have been formed in various parts of the colony, one of which is that under consideration. The commencement of the building was for a long time delayed in consequence of the difficulty found in obtaining a suitable site; the one originally proposed was near the Uni- versity, but this could not be procured, and after a great deal of negotiation, Sir Charles Hotham, with the advice of his Executive Council, was induced to grant the present site, con- sisting of about fifteen acres of land, it having been made a condition that the building to be erected upon it should be subject to the approval of the Government. This condition greatly delayed the work, as the plan originally selected was not acceptable to the Government officials. At length the design for the present building was produced and approved of. It was the result of competition, Messrs. Webb and Taylor being the architects. The school, when completed, will have a much more striking appearance than it now presents. The principal front will face the Gardiner's Creek Road, and have in the centre a very handsome tower. It will require, to carry out fully the design, an additional expenditure of near £10,000. The portion of the work already executed has cost nearly £20,000, of which £13,783 14s. has been contributed from the Government grant of £20,783 14s.; the remainder of this grant having been expended upon the Church of England Grammar Xciv HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. School at Geelong. The £13,783 14s. has been supplemented by private contributions to the extent of several thousand pounds, made up by a comparatively small number of persons, between thirty and forty individuals having each contributed one hundred pounds. The school was opened in April, 1858, under the superin- tendence of the Rev. Dr. Bromby, who had been appointed in England by gentlemen specially entrusted with the responsi- bility of selecting the head master. On the first day of the opening, nearly one hundred pupils were admitted, and the numbers have since gone on increasing. The school is calcu- lated to receive about three hundred boys, including about sixty boarders, and there is every reason to believe that all the accommodation it can afford will be required. The school is watched over by a council, but its scholastic management is confided to the head master; a certain propor- tion of the school fees being paid over to the council for the purpose of keeping the building in repair, completing the design of the architect, and the formation of a reserve fund. Contributors of £50 and upwards are entitled to be governors, and to a remission of one third of the school fees for boys nominated by them; a contribution of £50 giving a right to one, and of £150 to two nominations. The school although carried on in connexion with the Church of England, is open to all denominations. There are some special privileges given to the children of clergymen which it is not here neces-ary to particularise. GEELONG GEAMMAE SCHOOL. This institution, of a similar character to the preceding, being in connexion with the Church of England, was estab- lished in 1855, transferred to the present building on the 15th April, 1858, and publicly opened on 21st June. The new structure cost about £12,500, is large and remarkably elegant. There are 120 scholars, forty of whom are boarders; five resi- dent masters, four of whom are graduates of the English uni- versities, the principal being the Rev. George Oakley Vance, M.A. The school is under the control of seven trustees, who have decided that the formularies of the Church of England shall not be used in the religious instruction of those in whose case any objection may be made. There is a scholarship con- nected with the school, tenable at the Melbourne University. SCOTCH COLLEGE, MELBOURNE. This building is situated on the Eastern-hill, having a large number of scholars, the actual daily attendance being about 170, including day pupils, day boarders, and residents. The principal is Mr. Alexander Morrison, A.M.; and the teachers, VICTORIA. XCV including Dr. Macadam, comprise gentlemen who have taken high degrees in the mother country. The object of the insti- tution is to furnish an education of the highest order to prepare young gentlemen for the University, learned profes- sions, or mercantile pursuits, and generally to afford to the youth of the Australian Colonies all the advantages which could be derived from the best educational and boarding estab- lishments in the mother country. The institution was estab- lished in 1851. MISCELLANEOUS INSTITUTIONS. MELBOURNE HOSPITAX. The first attempt to provide hospital accommodation for the early settle:s on the site of Melbourne was very inade- quate, being a rude log hut of two rooms, used for the treble purpose of post-office, police-office, and hospital; but at last becoming uninhabitable, a house in Little Collins-street, near the site of the present Temple Court, was taken for the pur- poses of the hospital alone. A meeting was held on the 24th September, 1844, when it was directed that an application should be made to Sir George Gipps, the then Governor of New South Wales, for a site of land, and for a sum of £500 in aid of the fund for erecting an hospital and attaching build- ings. The money was granted on condition that the recipients should raise a similar sum among themselvts. This point .was important, as had the building been erected wholly out of Government funds, its management would not have vested in the public. With an energy and liberality commendable in the highest degree, the then scanty population speedily raised the required amount, and on the 5th of March, 1845, a meeting was held at the Royal Hotel (upon the site of the present Criterion), when resolutions were passed expressive of the im- portance and immediate necessity of erecting an hospital for Port Phillip, and it was resolved that an hospital be established under the name of the Melbourne Hospital. On the following day a requisition was forwarded to James Montgomery, Esq., requesting him to convene a meeting of the governors and subscribers on the 19th of March, to appoint a committee to prepare rules for the Institution. Among the persons signing the requisition were Dr. Geoghegan, R. W. Pohlman, Esq., Dr. O'Mullane, Dr. E. Barker, and many other old and respected colonists. At this meeting a committee was also formed for the purpose of obtaining a grant of land, and the governors were empowered to enter into contracts for the erection of an hospital on a site to be approved of. The foundation stone was laid early in 1846, with masonic ceremonies befitting the importance of the occasion. A meeting was held on the 15th July, 1847, when Drs. Hobson, O'Mullane, and Howitt, were elected physicians; and Messrs. Greeves, Thomas, and Camp- XCvi HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. bell, surgeons to the institution. The Hospital was then opened for the reception of patients. The following is a statement for each year since that period:— Tear. In-Patients. Out-Patiente. 1848 .. 89 .. 98 1849 .. 197 .. 123 1850 .. 222 .. 134 1851 .. 260 .. 159 1852 .. 636 .. 170 1853 .. 1,561 .. 825 1854 .. 1,605 .. 1,704 1855 .. 1,559 .. 2,700 1856 1,725 .. 3,393 1857 .. 1,870 .. 3,903 Total.. 9,724 .. 12,709 The whole number of in-patients, and those receiving medical advice and medicines not residing in the Hospital, amounts to 22,433. The noble building is situated in Lons- dale street, and contains 333 beds, independent of accommo- dation for offices, secretary's apartments, stores, servants' rooms, &c. The last addition made cost £11,000, providing 140 beds. The institution is under the management of a committee, elected annually from the subscribers, and is sup- ported by Government aid and voluntary contributions. Life governors subscribing £20, and annual governors of £2, have the privilege of having one in and one out-patient at all times on the books of the institution, subject to the approval of the committee of management. The Honorary Medical Staff consists of four physicians and four surgeons; there are also resident in the institution a house-surgeon and assistant, resident secretary, matron and two dispensers. BENEVOLENT ASYLUM. The declared objects of this Institution are " To relieve the aged and infirm, disabled or destitute, of all creeds or nations, and to minister to them the comforts of religion." The first public meeting in connexion with the establishment of an Asylum, was held in the Mechanics' Institute, on 12th October, 1849, the Mayor in the chair. A committee was appointed to take initiatory steps, and at a second public meeting, held on the 8th November in the same year, the ne- cessity for a General Asylum, into which the destitute could be received, was fully recognised. The object of the meeting was to provide proper lodgings for the destitute objects of their care, and exercising such control as to make the relief afforded really beneficial. Nearly one-half of the applicants for admission into the Hospital were fitter subjects for an Asylum xcviii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. of Melbourne, the honorary Medical Officers, the resident principal Ministers of each Congregation making a collection for the funds, and the honorary treasurer, are the ex officio members of the committee of management. Every donor of £20 and upwards is a life governor, and every person raising by one or more collections £20, and the executor first named in any will bequeathing £50 and upwards to the Institution have the rights and privileges of life governors. Every subscriber of one guinea and upwards is an annual governor, having the privilege of voting at the election of office-bearers, and those paying two guineas have the privilege of recommending cases of distress for relief. The medical staff consists of two honorary physicians, two honorary surgeons, and a resident medical officer. The internal control and management is entrusted to a superintendent and matron, and the efficient manner in which the Institution has been conducted by the committee of management, combining care for the comfort and well being of the inmates with economy in the expenditure of the public money, has fully realised the expectations of the original promoters. MELBOURNE LYING-IN HOSPITAL AND INFIRMARY FOB DISEASES OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN. In the month of August, 1856, some benevolent ladies became impressed with the want of such an Institution as the above. A meeting was convened at the Deanery to discuss the subject, and during inquiry it became known to some of the ladies that Dr. J. Maund and Dr. R. T. Tracy having long felt the need that existed of a Lying-in Hospital, were then actually in treaty for leasing a suitable house in Albert-street, Melbourne, and had determined to set the Institution on foot, trusting to the support of the public to maintain it when its benefits were proved. The ladies resolved to co-operate with these gentlemen, and formed a committee and liberally subscribed to start the Hospital. Since then the charity has gone on increasing. A site for a permanent building was obtained from Government in an excellent situation in Madeline-street. A splendid building has just been completed. Towards the building fund over £2,000 was obtained by voluntary subscriptions, and £4,000 granted by Parliament. During the last two years 250 women have been accouched in the Hospital, happily without a death, and 990 women and children have received advice and medicines as out-patients. c HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA asylums, for whom the necessary sleeping and dining rooms are set apart, with play- ground. There is also a school-room attached, and a teacher (provided by the National School board). Of the adult inmates, when the house is not occupied by new arrivals, the majority are either out-door patients of the hospital, convalescents therefrom, too weak to undertake im- mediate employment—and, those of the "unemployed" males unequal to ordinary manual labor, for whom temporary em- ployment sufficient for procuring food is provided. The society insists as the principle of all its operations, that the aid rendered shall be only temporary, and that all inmates of the home shall be required to employ themselves to the extent of their ability; every means being taken to induce and promote self-reliance, and to discountenance dependence upon eleemosynary aid, which neither the funds nor objects of the society, nor the interests of the inmates themselves will permit. For those sickly necessitous persons, not being newly arrived immigrants, relief tickets are issued, which the benevolent public purchase at a cost of 2s. 6d. each; for which sum full two days food and lodging is given, the plan being intended to obviate the objectionable and much abused practice of indiscriminate money relief. A record is kept of the cases relieved, by which objects unworthy of further aid are denounced and habitual mendi- cancy prevented. This society may be truly termed the Victorian strangers' friend, as it takes cognizance, so far as its extremely moderate income permits, of those cases ineligible or unprovided for by other institutions. Besides the foregoing, immigrants' luggage is also stored upon the premises at a small weekly charge. The usefulness of this society has been greatly promoted by the resident secretary, Dr. Earley, under whose superintendence the entire operations are conducted. For six years past this gentleman has devoted his attention to the systematic amelioration of the difficulties and wants of immigrants on the one hand, and the checking of imposition or idleness on the other. MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, GEOLOGY, MINING AND AGRICULTURE. • The Public Museum of Natural History in Victoria was commenced by His Excellency Mr. LaTrobe and Capt. Clarke, when surveyor-general; and in the first instance a considerable collection of the birds, with a less perfect series of the quad- rupeds, and a few specimens of the other divisions of the animal kingdom were got together. The best of these were, however, VICTORIA. sent to the Paris Exhibition, and the specimens which re- mained formed a small museum, rarely visited, displayed in the upper rooms of the old assay office, by Mr. Blandowski, who was employed to collect specimens and information illustrative of the natural history of the country, for the "Mu- seum of Natural History" branch of the survey department. Shortly after Sir Charles Hotham arrived, it seemed to him that the museum establishment was an expense that should be done away with, in the then existing state of the country; and having directed that the collections should be removed to make way for the present survey offices, and refusing to sanc- tion any expenditure for a new museum, an arrangement was suggested by Professor M'Coy for the preservation and exten- sion of the collection, by which the Government offered to place the colonial specimens in the custody of the University, on condition of that body erecting a suitable museum building to contain them. The specimens were to be freely open to the public and were to remain the property of the Government, so that the corporation of the University could have no power at any time of excluding the public from them, or disposing of them in any way. The University accepted the trust, and parliament having contributed, on the above conditions, £10,000 towards the erection of the museum, the northern wing of the University was built at a cost of upwards of £26,000, having the entire length of the upper floor formed into an admirably suited museum of four fine rooms. In these museums every precaution has been taken to ensure the most abundant light, with entire absence of that great de- stroyer of natural history specimens, dust. This is kept from the specimens not only by the large enclosed and planted grounds surrounding the building, which could not have been had in town, but by fastening the glass of the windows into the stone without sashes, and by well made glass cases. The museums, both of the state and the University, are alike freely open to the public; the latter being confined to the eastern room (principally mineralogical and geological collections), and the former occupying the other three. The geological and palaeontological collections of the University are very complete, and have been stratigraphically arranged by the professor of natural science, and carefully labelled so as to give a complete view of modern geology. Professor M'Coy has also arranged the fine collection of minerals in such a way that the crystalline system and chemical constitution of each is seen at a glance. The next large room is devoted exclusively to the natural pro- ducts of the colony of Victoria; there we find the quadrupeds, birds, fishes, &c. of the country, classified in zoological order, the class marked over each case, the order, genus and species, locality and common name being given on the printed forms adopted for the labels. When the naming is finished and the H* 2 cii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. collection nearly complete, it is intended to publish cheap illustrated volumes descriptive of all the classes, so that the public may become familiar with the objects by name, and thus render it possible for observers in various parts of the country to record their observations in such a form as will lay the foundation for a true natural history of the colony. In this "Victorian room" is also a series of the woods of the colony, contributed by Dr. Muller, and the palseontological specimens collected by Mr. Selwyn's staff for the illustration of the geological survey. The first room on the right of the staircase is devoted to general zoology; and here the main groupings are illustrative of the great geographical divisions of the earth's surface, as marked by the distribution of animals; bringing the theories of "specific centres of creation," "representative forms," and other interesting points in the philosophy of zoology strikingly before the eye. Each of the geographical groups is, of course, zoologically classified, and the labelling of the specimens is far advanced, with the order, family, genus, species, locality and common name of each. Owing to the intercession of Professor M'Coy with the scientific men at home, this part of the collec- tion has received, and is receiving many large and valuable additions, and in sorne departments will soon rival some of the great public collections of Britain, and many specimens already exhibited are so rare as to be found in very few even of these. The west room contains the first commencement of an Agricultural Museum, comprising a fine collection of seeds by Mr. Macmillan, and a few models. But by the kindness of Professor Henslow it is expected to be enriched before the end of the year with copies of the agricultural objects in his Museum of Agricultural Botany at Kew, models of the best machines, &c., &c., so as to be as useful and instructive as the other more advanced sections. This room also contains one of the most practically useful and interesting sections (com- menced by Professor M'Coy last year) of the whole—viz., the "Mining Museum." Here may be seen all the tools and machines used in both alluvial gold-washing and mining in Victoria, all the larger machinery being illustrated by beauti- fully accurate working models, shewing every detail of con- struction. Here also are models of the mines of Ballaarat, Buninyong, &c., formed of the actual materials, showing all the underground strata, the shafts, drives, timbering, &c., exactly to scale. Here also may be seen various foreign machines for boring for water and coal; the Russian gold-washing machinery employed in the Ural mountains, and various drawings of machinery, and physical and geological maps of the gold-fields. There are daily expected for this division of the museum consignments, from Professor M'Coy's correspondents, of the tools used in the famous mines of Europe, and models of VICTORIA. mining machines as well as metallurgical specimens from the various British and Continental Mining-Schools. This room is much frequented by the miners. The proximity of the museums to the University lecture rooms and laboratory, renders them doubly useful for instruc- tion, and renders the establishment of schools of mining, agriculture and engineering, such as exist in many of the European and American Universities, an easy matter. The number of visitors for August of this year was 1,747, and for July, 1,388. The public have free admission daily (Sunday excepted) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Professor M'Coy is head of the depart- ment, as Director of Museums. PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE. During the winter of 1854 the attention of many scientific gentlemen in Victoria was directed to the necessity of having some general means of communication one with another; and Mr. William Sydney Gibbons, the Microscopist, proposed that a society should be established under the title of the Victorian Institute. This gentleman communicated with many persons of known scientific reputation, and the Institute was founded under his management. His Honor Mr. Justice Barry was elected President; and Dr. Maund, Frederick Sinnett, Esq., George Higinbotham, Esq., and others of scientific eminence, held office in the council. At nearly the same time, and with similar views, the Phi- losophical Society was established.—President, the Honorable Andrew Clarke, Capt., R.E.; Members of Council, Godfrey Howitt, Esq., M.D., the Rev. A. Morison, A. K. C. Selwyn, Esq., Dr. Miiller, S. Ifiia, Esq , M.D., Dr. Eades, Dr. Wilkie and others. The first general meeting of the Philosophical Society was held at the Assay Office (the present Public Lands Office) on the 12th August, 1854, and subsequently the meet- ings were held monthly. The society progressed very rapidly after its inauguration, and numerous papers were read, the principal contributors being Clement Hodgskinson, Esq., O.E., Dr. Wilkie, Dr. Miiller, R. Brough Smyth, Esq., William Blansdowski, Esq., aDd Dr. Davy. In course of time it was found that an amalgamation of the Victorian Institute and the Philosophical Society was desira- ble, and several conferences were held of committees of the respective societies. After some delays the two societies were amalgamated, under the title of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria, and the first general meeting was held on the 10th July, 1855. In 1855 the transactions and proceedings of the Philo- sophical Society and the Victorian Institute were published, the colony derived much benefit from the dissemination of Chr HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. the papers amongst the various learned societies throughout the world. At that time the members of the societies were not numerous, and none came forward for election unless they were in some manner directly or indirectly connected with scientific investigations, and it was expected that every member would contribute either original papers or specimens of natural history for exhibition at the meetings. Of late candidates for election have been more numerous, and the principle of the British Association has been adopted, where every respectable man is considered eligible who takes suffi- cient interest in science to induce him to subscribe to its funds. His Excellency Sir Henry Barkly, with his characteristic regard for every institution in any manner connected with the welfare of the colony, has largely extended his patronage to the Philosophical Institute, and very frequently honors the meetings with his presence. ASTRONOMY. The Astronomical Observatory of the Colony, situated in Williamstown, is in Longitude 9 h. 39 m. 54" 4"' east, and 37° 52' 7" 7"' south, and was established in the year 1853, for the immediate purposes of commercial astronomy. Time balls at Williamstown and Melbourne have been erected, by which signals of Greenwich time are given to enable masters of vessels lying in Hobson's Bay to obtain errors and rates for their chronometers, and for general public convenience. In addition to the time balls, night signals are made from the lighthouse, which is in telegraphic communication with the Observatory. The establishment was at first very limited, possessing only a small transit instrument, an astronomical clock, and a few minor instruments, the whole of the duties being carried on by the superintendent, Mr. R. L. J. Ellery. Within the last few years considerable improvements and additions have been made, and the Observatory is now in as an efficient a state as its compass allows The establishment consists at present of two wooden buildings erected within the telegraph reserve at Gellibrand's point, Williamstown; one of them containing meridian and computing rooms, and the other a small equatorial room. The instruments consist of a transit instrument by Trough- ton and Simms of London; 3 feet six inches focal length, with 3 inches effective aperture; a sidereal transit clock by Frod- sham, a mean time clock, an eighteen inch altazimuth circle by Troughton, with chronometers, sextants and other minor adjuncts of an astronomical observatory. The transit instru- ment is mounted on stone piers, the foundations of which are solid masonry for a considerable depth below the surface. The VICTORIA. CV sidereal clock has for its support a massive stone pillar standing upon the same foundations as the transit piers. The alta- zimuth is placed upon a solid circular pier also of stone in the equatorial room. There is in addition to these a staff of meteorological instruments. The work of the observatory consists in the observations necessary for maintaining true time, and for latitude and longitude, especially the latter, the accurate determination of which forms one of the most difficult problems in practical astronomy. Eclipses, occultations, and all occasional astrono- mical phenomena are carefully observed and recorded, and a catalogue of south circum polar stars is in course of formation. The Observatory being in electric communication with all the telegraph stations in the colony, time signals are sent to them daily at one o'clock, p.m. Observatory time, when the time balls at Melbourne and Williamstown are simultaneously dropped. It is intended eventually to supply all the seaport and some of the principal inland towns with time signals in order that uniform mean time may be obtained throughout the colony. The available horizon on the meridian is from about 48° north declination to 30° polar distance below the pole south. The south pole star (a) sigma octantis is within 43' of the celestial pole, but being only of the 6th magnitude is very difficult to find without fixed instruments. The zodiacal light is frequently very bright in the evening, generally most visible on those nights immediately preceding or following conjunction of the moon. The climate of Victoria, from the clearness of its atmosphere, affords extraordinary advantages for the prosecution of astrono- mical research of the highest class, and it is to be hoped that the Government may be induced to provide instruments of a superior class, in order that the observatory may not only be sufficiently effective for all the commercial purposes of the colony, but may be enabled to contribute something to astro- nomical knowledge generally. FREEMASONRY IN VICTORIA* Freemasonry has been defined a Moral order, instituted with the praiseworthy design of recalling to our remembrance the most sublime truths in the midst of the most innocent and social pleasures, founded on brotherly love and charity. Its branches now extend to every part of the civilized world. It has identified itself with the people of Victoria, become a cherished institution, and exercises a potent influence amongst them. • Prepared by an eminent member of ti e Craft. cvi HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. There are in Victoria (in 1858) twenty-eight lodges and four Royal Arch Chapters under the English, nine lodges under the Irish, and three under the Scottish Grand Lodges, and one Royal Arch Chapter under the Scottish Supreme Grand Chapter, the aggregate number of members of which lodges and chapters is about 3,500, exclusive of a similar number of Freemasons who, from various causes, have not yet affiliated with any of these lodges. The brief space allotted for our subject precludes the intro- duction into our riumt of little more than an enumeration of events in the annals of Freemasonry in the colony. The constitution of the first lodge, the Australia Felix, under the English Grand Lodge, took place at Melbourne on the 25th March, 1840. The first W. Master was Br. George B. Smyth, who was installed by Br. John Stephen, P.M., who invested the officers and performed the several ceremonies upon the occasion. The next lodge formed in the colony was the Australia Felix Lodge of Hiram, at Melbourne, under the Irish Grand Lodge, on the 24th June, 1843, Hr. John Thomas Smith, then the R. W. the Mayor of Melbourne, the first initiate in the English Lodge, was elected W. Master, Br John Stephen. P.M., also performed the same ceremonies upon this occasion, as previously described in relation to the Australia Felix Lodge. The first lodge in the colony under the Scottish Grand Lodge, though steps for its formation were taken in November, 1841, was not constituted until the 13th May, 1844. The ceremony of constitution and the installation of the R.W. Deputy Master, Br. Wm. Kerr, and investment of his officers being severally performed by Br. John Thomas Smith. Sometime thereafter the United Tradesmen's Lodge, under the Scottish Grand Lodge, was constituted at Geelong, and Br. George Ooppin, late of dramatic celebrity, who had obtained the warrant of constitution, was installed the first R.W. Master of the lodge. During the interval between the constitution of these several lodges and the discovery of gold, the progress of Free- masonry, though subject to the usual vicissitudes, was con- siderable. Contrary, however, to prescriptive right, to take a secondary part in such ceremonies, the brethren assisted Charles J. LaTrobe, Esq., Superintendent of Port Phillip, and in his subsequent position as I ieutenant Governor of Victoria, to lay the foundation stones of several public structures, namely, the Supreme Court in July, 1842; Prince's Bridge and the Hospital in March, 1846; and the Benevolent Asylum in June, 1850. The R.W. Master of the Australasian Kilwin- ning Lodge, with the Masters of the other lodges, laid the foundation-stone of the Temperance Hall, Russell-street, in December, 1846. The first Royal Arch Chapter in the colony, designated VICTORIA. the Australasian, affiliated with the Australia Felix Lodge, was constituted on the 7th May, 1844. After the discovery of gold in 1851, an immense influx of Europeans arrived in the colony, and amongst them several brethren of great masonic experience, fully conversant with the various rituals and qualified to carry on the work of Free- masonry according to the ancient usages, customs, and land- marks of the order. Some of these brethren greatly accelerated the progress of Freemasonry in Victoria, and still continue to exercise a marked influence over it. Amongst these may he mentioned Br. J. J. Moody, a Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden for Cheshire, a Royal Arch Past Z., a Knight Templar, and Prince Grand Rose Croix; Br. E. T. Bradshaw, a P.M., a R.A., a Knight Templar and Knight of the 30th degree, H.R.D.M.; Br. Edward Sydes, P. Prov. G. Secretary for Somer- setshire, a R.A. and Knight Templar; and Br. Robert Levick, a P.M. and R.A. past Z. These severally commenced their masonic labors in 1853. The latter brother established in 1854, and has successfully continued to the present a lodge of instruction, which has been of inestimable advantage to the craft. About two years thereafter Br. H. W. Lowry, a P.M., a R. A., and Knight Templar; Br. Professor Wilson, a R. A., and K.T.; and several other influential brethren from Britain, increased this phalanx of devoted Freemasons. During the years 1853-4-5 the lodges increased rapidly in number, and warrants of dispensation were obtained to hold them at the principal gold-fields. During this period the foun- dation-stone of the Melbourne Gas Works and of the Western Market were respectively laid by Br. John Thomas Smith, then R.W. Mayor of Melbourne, assisted by the masters, officers, and brethren of the several lodges. Upon the former occasion a beautiful silver trowel, and upon the latter a massive one of pure Victorian gold, each with suitable inscriptions, were pre- sented to Br. John T. Smith. The great increase in lodges led to a desire for their united government by the formation of Provincial Grand Lodges, wherein each lodge, under its respective constitution, would be fully represented. On the memorial of the Australasian Kilwinning Lodge, the Grand Lodge of Scotland appointed Br. James Hunter Ross, R.W.P.G. Master, but after appointing his officers and he and they being respectively installed and invested in July, 1847, he never summoned them to meet thereafter, and did not resign office until 1854. From the loss of his commission a succe sor was not appointed until the present year, Br. W. C. Haines, M.L.A., being recommended to the Duke of Athol for such appointment, one which, from the high character of Br. Haines, cannot fail to be generally approved. In 1856 Br. John Thomas Smith, M.L.A., was appointed R.W.P.G. Master, under the Irish Constitution, for Victoria, by cviii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA the Duke of Leinster, and the following year Lord Zetland appointed Captain Andrew Clarke, R.E., MX.A., R.W.P.G. Master, under the English Constitution, for Victoria; there being then twelve lodges to be placed under his jurisdiction. Each of the Provincial Grand Lodges and Provincial Grand Masters were respectively constituted and installed, according to ancient usage, by Br. J. J. Moody, Past Provincial Junior Grand J. Warden for Cheshire, assisted by numerous Masters, Past Masters, and Brethren. Captain Clarke laid the founda- tion-stone of Collingwood bridge in 1856, with great eclat, in the presence of many thousands of spectators. The members of the Municipal Council of East Collingwood purchased and presented to him for the occasion a beautiful silver trowel suitably inscribed. Prior to the departure of Br. Smith for Europe in July of the present year, and the departure of Br. Captain Clarke for Europe in August of the present year (1858), the brethren gave them sumptuous farewell banquets; the former was held at the Cafe de Paris, F. T. Gell, Esq., W.D.P.G.M., for Victoria (English Constitution) in the chair, and the latter at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Br. Professor Wilson, P.M. (Scottish Constitution) in the chair. Appropriate speeches were made on these respective occasions, and the Brethren testified their regard for the P.G. Masters in a manner so marked and fra- ternal as to inspire them with the most grateful feelings for such demonstrations of brotherly courtesy and attention. An interesting event took place, during the present year, at Sandhurst—the consecration of the beautiful lodge, recently built therein, to Royal Arch Freemasonry. This ceremony, the installation of the Principals, the investment of the Officers, and exaltation of Candidates, were severally per- formed by Companion J. J. Moody, Past Z., who visited Sandhurst for the purpose. The ceremony of consecrating a Royal Arch Chapter was thus performed for the first time in Victoria. A desire having been manifested for the introduction of the Chivalrous Degrees and the Ancient and Accepted liite into Victoria, Benjamin Archer Kent, Esq., M.D., R.W.P.G.M. for South Australia, having been appointed Provincial Grand Commander of Knights Templar and of Prince Masons for the Australian Colonies, soon after his arrival from, and before his return again to, England, carried out this desire. In April he constituted the Pembroke Encampment of Knights Templar, at Melbourne, and installed Sir Knight E. T. Bradshaw Eminent Commander, and Sir Knights J. J. Moody and H. W. Lowry, respectively, First and Second Captains thereof. On the same day he constituted the Sovereign Chapter of Knights of the Eagle and Pelican and Perfect Puissant Princes Grand Rose Croix of Victoria, under the supreme council VICTORIA. cix of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General for England and Wales and the dependencies of Great Britain, and installed and inducted the following Sir Knights into office:—Most Wise Sovereign, J. J. Moody, Knight, 18th, and, under Scottish jurisdiction a Knight of the 33rd Degree of the O.M. First General, E. T. Bradshaw, Knight, K H., 30th; Second General, A. J. Gibh, Knight, K.H., 30th. Such is a brief outline of the introduction into and progress of the several branches of Freemasonry in Victoria. MILITARY DEPARTMENT. (For Naval, see page 71.) Sydney, New South Wales, was formerly the head quarters of the General Officer commanding the troops in the Australian colonies. In the year 1854, however, the British Government, consequent on the rapidly increasing importance of the Colony of Victoria, and regarding Melbourne as the most central military point in the command, added to which its postal proximity to England, directed the removal of the head quarters of the army thence. Accordingly, in August, 1854, the late Sir Robert Nickle, K.H., then Commander in Chief in these colonies, arrived at Melbourne with his statf, and established his head quarters in Victoria. In May, 1855, Sir Robert Nickle died in Melbourne, when the command of the troops devolved on Colonel E. Macarthur, Deputy Adjutant-General. This officer was, in September of that year, appointed Commander of the Forces in the Australian colonies with the rank of Major-General, being succeeded as Deputy-Adjutant-General by Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. B. Neill In January, 1856, Major-General Macarthur succeeded to the temporary Government of Victoria, by the death of His Excellency Sir C. Hotham, K.C.B., and administered the same until the arrival of His Excellency Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B., the present Governor. On the 17th July, 1857, Major-General Macarthur was nominated a OB. The present head quarters and military staff of the Austra- lian command is composed as follows:—Major-General E. Macarthur, C.B., Commanding the Forces; Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. B. Neill, H.P., Deputy Adjutant-General; Captain Pitt, 80th Regiment, Assistant Military Secretary; Captain H. T. F. White, 4m the several offices in the interior to the Tr asury at Melbourne, the Major- General directs, that the mounted company of the 40th Regiment, which has for a considerable period been charged with this important service, return to its legitimate duties at Head Quarters. The public i ecords show that it has faithfully performed this duty for three years and eight months, dating from May, 1853, to the present time, during which period it es' orted and delivered into the public Treasury no less than six millions (6,000,000) ounces of gold, valued at twenty-four mil ions (24,000,000) pounds sterling, and conveyed to and from the interior, in cash, i'17,50O,000, making a total of £41,600,000. At the representation of the administrative Government of Victoria, His Excellency Sir Hei>ry Barkly VICTORIA. cxi on the occasion of the Government dispensing with their services on the same footing as they had previously been entertained. In order, however, to afford every facility to Government in the escort of the gold, the Major-General commanding allowed one sergeant and fifty rank and file of the 40th Regiment from those who had formerly belonged to the mounted company to continue their services, for the purpose of escorting gold and treasure, but under the direction of the Chief Commissioner of Police. In this duty they were employed until arrangements having been made by Govern- ment for the police to do the whole duty of the gold escort the military were directed to rejoin their corps. A most gratifying report of the steadiness and efficiency of these soldiers, while they were attached to the police, was made by the the Chief Commissioner of that force. A letter expressive of the satisfactory manner in which the mounted company, 40th Regiment, had conducted them selves while in civil employ, was also received from the Military Secretary to His Koyal Highness The General Commanding in Lhief. The expense of the military has been defrayed as follows:— That for the mainte ance of the Head Quarter Staff, with the exception of the colonial allowance granted to each officer, is, and always has been, disbursed from the Imperial chest. Until the 31st December, 1857, the Imperial pay, and also the Colonial allowances of the Regiments stationed in Victoria, were defrayed by the colony. Since then, however, the Home Government have been requested by that of this colony to disburse the Imperial pay of the troops. Ever since the arrival of the military here, the barrack accommodation has been, not only of a temporary character, but bad and inconvenient in every possible respect. There are, however, new barracks in the course of erection, near Princes Bridge. VOLUNTEERS. Consequent on the war with Russia, the attention of the colonists was directed to the expediency and necessity of organizing a military force, to co-operate with Her Majesty's troops in case of emergency, and in the year 1854, an Act was passed, authorising the raising of Volunteer corps. has been pleased to express his sense of the admirable manner in which this detached force has conducted itself, in the discharge of the very responsi- ble and peculiir duty assigned to it. Major-General Macartnur will have much pleasure in soliciting the especial notice of the General Commanding In Chief to the meritorious services of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of this portion of the 40th Regiment, and in reporting for the satisfaction of His Royal Highness their at all times true and soldierlike bearing. By command (signed) J, M. B. Neill, Lieut.-Col., Dep. Adjutant-General." cxii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. The Volunteer force of Victoria is as follows:—The Victoria Volunteer Artillery Corps, commanded by Lieutenant- Colonel Anderson. The Victorian Yoemanry Corps, com . manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Ross. The Geelong Volunteer Rifle Corps, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Rede. These corps were hurriedly raised during a time of consider- able excitement. The system by which they are regulated is susceptible of much modification and very great improvement. The re-establishme it of peace withdrew from them much of the interest with which they had been regarded by, and the encouragement they at fi st received from, the public. Not- withstanding this, however, the members of the corps have persevered in their voluntaiily adopted calling, and have made a progress in it. which has been regardad, and reported on, by the military authorities as most creditable, and which, more- over, is the best proof of the zeal, aptitude, and cheerfulness of the officers and members of the several corps One very great desideratum connected with the Volunteers is, that they should have better arms, and to this point, it is desirable and to be hoped, that Government will speedily direct their special and earnest attention. The Volunteers of Victoria deserve every encouragement, and merit no small amount of praise; their services are unpaid, and, in the case of the Yeomanry, the expense of their costly uniforms and equipments is borne by the members themselves. The following is the present strength of the regular and Volunteer forces in the colony, exclusive of the general staff. eldo o cers. 4 1 E to bal- ms. S 0003 » .(-* * » * +-4-+- ■3 S S a o S a S o £ - EH . 9 "4 11 O o o o • I 0 I ** JS 5 5 rose to £2,386,760. The deposits in the same year amount- ed to upwards of six millions ster- ling; coin and bul- lion, from three to four millions; and their advances to the colonists rose from £3,905,944 in the end of 1853, to £6,791,336 in the third quarter of 1854. In the latter year, the average population was 25U,000. In order to understand clear- ly these facts, it will be necessary to compare the a mounts with those of the present year, when the popula- tion is very nearly doubled. In the quarter ended 30th September last, the note circulation was £1,993,274, being £393,486 less than in the third quarter of 1854. The deposits in 1858are£5,672,246, being considerably under the average amount in 1854. The specie is at present about a million less, and the advances to the colonists are about two millions more than in the former period. It cannot be denied that the banks are all the better for their CXvi HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. former experience. It would be impossible to improve much upon their policy, which is firm and consistent, without being oppressive. There is no doubt that the bulk of our commu- nity is perfectly sound and stable, and if the reckless specu- lators of the mother country could only be taught a little caution, we doubt not that our mercantile and financial affairs would be speedily re-established. savings' banks. The returns of the Savings' Banks, an institution the work- ing of which forms so sure an index to the material prosperity of the laboring classes, present results of a most gratifying character, manifesting as they do beyond all question the steadily increasing comfort of the people, and what is, perhaps, of more genuine importance, their perseverance in habits of economy and of careful provision for the future. It is under- stood that much of the deposits withdrawn in the course of the year have been applied to the purchase of land; and thus the Savings' Banks, by providing a secure place of deposit, and allowing a reasonable rate of interest, 4 per cent, per annum, for the savings of the working people, lend their aid towards the permanent settlement of the country. It appears that on 31st December, 1851, the total amount lodged by the 1,208 depositors was £46,444. At the last annual balance period, viz., at 1st July, 1858, the total number of depositors was 7,242, and the total amount of balances at their credit, £432,243 8s. 8d. Average amount of balances, i'59 13s. 9d. The Savings' Banks in Victoria are separate institutions, under the management of local trustees appointed by the Commissioners of Savings' Banks, who are appointed by the Governor in Council, and have the general control of their administration and the investment of the funds, in accordance with the provisions of the Act of the Lieutenant Governor and Legislative Council, 16 Victoria, No. 37, commonly called "The Savings' Bank Act, 1853." They are now established in Melbourne, Geelong, Castlemaine, Sandhurst. Ballaarat, Portland, and Belfast, and it is understood that the Commis- sioners intend shortly to establish banks at Beechworth and Maryborough. VICTORIA. cxvii '.a S3 Eood 393 a at S o O I -I .H c . 5 5 Aft (O9 i-l 9. The average number of passen- gers weekly has been 10,240 to Sandridge and 17,800 to St. Kilda. The profits for the last half-year amounted to f29,972. The second is from Geelong to within eight miles of Mel- bourne. Its total cost has been £590,576. Two other private companies have recently been formed for the purpose of con- necting the more populous suburban towns with the metro- polis. For portions of the lines, contracts amounting to 42320,000 have been entered into, and the works have been commenced. Finally, the Government, by authority of an Act of Parliament, has undertaken to construct upwards of two hundred miles of railway, including lines from Williams- town to Melbourne, from Melbourne to the Murray via Castle- maine and Bendigo, and from Geelong to Ballaarat, the lines to be completed in about four years. Contracts have been taken for the Sandhurst line, 94i miles, amounting to £3,356,937, and for the Ballaarat line, 53 miles, to the amount of £1,271,841. It is expected that the line from Sandhurst to the Murray, being over a level country (57i miles), will be constructed for about £500,000. GEELONG AND MELBOURNE RAILWAY. Capital in 17,500 shares of £20 each, £350,000. Mortgage debt £262,500. This Company was incorporated on the 8th February, 1853, for the construction of a line of railway between Geelong and Melbourne; capital, £350,000. The portion of the line between Williamstown and Batman's Hill was subsequently ceded to the Melbourne, Mount Alexander, and Murray River Bail way Company, on the understanding that the two lines should be carried on contemporaneously; but the Mount Alexander Company having failed to raise the necessary capital, transferred their rights and liabilities to the Govern- ment, by whom the branch line to Melbourne is now in course of construction. The Government originally guaranteed interest at five per cent. on £200,000, which was extended on the accession of Sir Charles Hotham to the remainder of the capital; and in the latter part of the year 1854 an agency was established in London for the sale of shares, in which object the Company K * cxxii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. was entirely successful, and the line was completed to the proposed junction wiih the Government line, in length about forty miles, and opened for passenger traffic on the 25th of June, 1857. But one line of rails has been as yet laid down; but the earth works and bridges are constructed for a double track; and the expense has consequently exceeded the estimated capital, the cost being about £600,000, or £15,000 per mile. A power is reserved to the Government, by the Company's Act, to purchase the undertaking after the year 1863, at the rate of £250 for every £100 capital subscribed, or sixteen years' purchase of the annual divisible profits of the three years then next preceding. The passenger traffic, to which the operations of the Com- pany have been so far confined, has yielded an average of about £800 per week, which leaves a surplus after the payment of all working expenses; and it is estimated that, when through to Melbourne, the receipts from goods and passengers will not be less than £2000 per week. This railway forms a junction with the Williamstown branch line, at a distance of about two miles and a quarter from the Bail way Pier, and an agreement exists under which the Geelong Company pay a toll to the Government for the use of the branch line The greater portion of the land outside the town boundary is held by the Company under free grant from the Crown, as also about eleven acres of valuable land, upon which the station is erected. The railway is con- tinued to the waters of Corio Bay by a curved pier, 1100 feet long, running into a depth of twenty-two feet water. The Ballaarat railway now in progress branches from this line at a distance of about two miles from Geelong, and forty- two from Melbourne. The accounts of the Company are made up to the 30th May and 30th of November, and the general meetings of share- holders are held at Geelong in January and July. The traffic receipts being insufficient to pay the annual debenture interest amounting to £18,725 in consequence of the non-completion of the through line, the shareholders re- solved at their last half-yearly meeting, to apply the guaran- teed interest of five per cent to the payment of the mortgage interest. Directors qualification 20 shares. Shareholders lia- bility limited to double the amount of his shares. Number of hares held in England, 15,372; in the colonies, 2,128 VICTORIA. cxsiii MELBOURNE AND HOBSON'S BAY RAILWAY. This railway, which was commenced in January, 1853, and completed in September, 1854, has obviated the necessity that formerly existed of transporting goods from vessels in the Bay to Melbourne by small craft up the river Yarra Yarra for nine miles, by taking them from the ship's side on to a pier, and sending them into the heart of Melbourne, along a line of railway little more than two miles in length. Great doubts were at one time entertained as to the undertaking proving a remunerative one in a money point of view, and the shares were at one time at a very heavy discount. The working of the line has, however, shown a very large profit, the dividends having gradually increased, and have now reached fourteen per cent, on the paid up capital; a large surplus as a reserve fund being carried over after payment of the dividend. This result is mainly attributable to the fact, that the largest ships are found to lie in perfect safety at the Pier, which at one time was thought too much exposed to admit of their being moored alongside in rough weather. This pre- judice, however, has so entirely vanished that captains of large vessels, who before the experiment was tried viewed such an undertaking with great doubt as to safety, now gladly lay their ships alongside, and discharge cargo upon the Railway Pier. In 1856, this Company undertook the construction of a branch line to St. Kilda, which is now in full operation for passenger traffic to the mutual benefit of the Company and the public. The returns upon this short line are it is believed larger than upon any line of equal length that has ever been constructed. The accompanying statement shows the extent of the present traffic, and the general increase since the opening of the line. No. of Passengers. Date. 9 .—N Merchandise. Total Receipts. Sandridge. St. Kilda. Half-year ending— Tons. t s. d. April 30, 1S55 151,033 — 9,513 16,810 14 3 Oct. 31, 1855 119,372 — 18,622 15,424 18 5 April 30, 1856 202,037 — 34,852 21,305 19 8 Oct. 31, 1856 190,744 — i6,015 22,443 16 9 April30, 1857 232,973 — 43,173 28,273 12 4 Oct. 31, 1857 228,919 382,464 64,148 39,039 12 1 April 30, 1858 305,369 512,933 69,249 44,525 0 6 Total. 1,430 450 895 397 275,545 187,823 14 0 The Company are adding largely to their shed accom- modation for goods, and have just completed a new line by carrying another bridge across the river Yarra, which gives a double line of rails to Sandridge, and will greatly facilitate the transmission of goods to and from the ships dis- cxxiv HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. charging at the Pier, which is in course of further extension, and has already been carried out to a length of 1,871 feet, by a uniform width of 60 feet, and a depth at low water of 23 feet, and giving pier accommodation for vessels of the follow- ing tonnage, viz.:—2 vessels under 500 tons register, 4 do. from 500 to 1,000 do., 6 do. of the largest tonnage of any ship that has ever entered Hobson's Bay. MELBOURNE AND SUBURBAN RAILWAY. This line was projected in 1856, but was not brought prominently before the public until the commencement of 1857. The line at first proposed was to connect the City with the districts of Richmond, South Melbourne, Prahran, Windsor, St. Kilda, Elsternwick, Ellwood, Little Brighton, and Brighton proper, on the one hand; and Hawthorne and Kew, on the other. A Provisional Committee was formed and received a suffi- cient amount of public support to warrant them in asking the Legislature to grant an Act of Incorporation. At this period a distinct company was formed for the purpose of connecting the Hobson's Bay Terminus at St. Kilda with Brighton, and resulted in the Legislature allowing the rival company to construct that portion of the line lying between St. Kilda and Brighton; therefore, the route of the Melbourne and Suburban Railway is confined to that portion of the suburbs situated between Melbourne and Wellington-street, Prahran; and its branch, as originally laid out, to Hawthorne; with power conferred by the Act to use the Brighton and St. Kilda Railway to its terminus at Brighton. The use of the other company's line has been reserved upon the usual traffic arrangements. By this decision of the Legislature a great saving of outlay will be secured to the company, and although the original capital of £300,000 is not altered, it is estimated that the expenditure for the construction of the line from Melbourne to Windsor, with a branch from Richmond to Hawthorne, will not exceed £200,000. The works were commenced on the 1st July last, and are progressing rapidly; and it is confidently hoped that the first section will be opened for traffic early in the present year. The company are now serving the notices on the owners and occupiers of the land required for the road, and it is their intention to push forward the works with all possible dispatch to the river Yarra, both on the Brighton line and Hawthorne branch, and prepare for a commencement of the works on the south side of the river before the close of the year. VICTORIA. CXXV The advantages to be derived from connecting these districts with Melbourne, in a commercial point of view, as well as giving those localities facilities of rapid communication, can scarcely be exaggerated in importance. The projectors believe that this Railway will be highly remunerative to the shareholders, and will realise the most sanguine expectations. The liability is limited to the amount of the share. MELBOURNE AND RIVER MURRAY RAILWAY. A contract was signed on 7th June, 1858, between the President and Members of the Board of Land and Works and Messrs. Cornish and Bruce, for the formation and completion of the portion of this line of Railway, commencing at the junction with the Melbourne and Williamstown Railway, near Footscray, and extending to Sandhurst. The whole distance is about 79 miles. The contract price is £3,356,937 2s. 2d., and the whole works are to be completed by the 1st January, 1862. It was intended to hold a grand inauguration and banquet at the turning of the first sod of the Victorian Railways, but it has been from time to time postponed in consequence of the indisposition of the Hon. the President of the Board of Lands and Works, and is now postponed till January, 1859, by which time it is understood the contractors will have completed the first twenty miles of the line. The works on the Keilor Plains and Sunbury sections are being pushed forward with great vigour. Operations have also been begun on the Gisborne and Big Hill sections, and at Castlemaine and Elphinstone the works are being laid out with a view to their immediate commencement. Some dissatisfaction at one time prevailed by the men requiring to be all paid the same wages, but the contractors remaining firm, the men able to work soon resumed operations and were followed by the others. The greatest quiet has since existed over the whole line. The line in course of construction by Messrs. Evans, Merry and Co., from Geelong to Ballaaiat, is mentioned in page cxxi., but full particulars have not been forwarded. A line of railway is being made by the St. Kilda and Brighton Railway Company, to form a junction at St. Kilda, The contract has been taken by Mr. W. Randle. K* 2 cxxvi HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. HILLS AND MANTJFACTORIES. Mills, breweries, foundries, gas-works, together with agricul- tural implement and other manufactories, have been exten- sively introduced into many parts of the country. The sta- tistical returns are not yet sufficiently completed to afford any accurate account of the numbers and description of these important evidences of industrial progress. The establishment of flour-mills in the interior has been so general as to have an important influence on the flour trade; and in place of being dependent on the seaboard towns, several .of the principal gold -fields are, in a great measure, supplied with flour from wheat grown and ground in their immediate neighborhood. POPULATION. By the Census Act, 20 Vict., No 2, it was provided the Registrar-General should receive all the schedules from the enumerators, and proceed to compile the tables of population from them. The census was taken on the 29th March, 1857; and an approximate estimate of the population has been periodically kept up by means of the official quarterly returns of births, deaths and immigration, which are deposited in this depart- ment. In the year 1851, it was ascertained by census that the population was 77,315 persons, of whom 23,143 were congre- gated in the city of Melbourne, 18,348 in the surrounding county of Bourke, and 12,784 in the county of Grant, which includes the town of Geelong. By the 29th March, 1857, the population numbered 410,766. of whom 99,354 were located in Melbourne and its suburbs, 23,338 in Geelong: 121,520 being distributed over the rural districts, whilst the gold-fields alone, with their rapidly increasing townships, absorbed a total of no less than 166,550 souls. By the census, and from official returns of immigration and emigration, and of births and deaths, it was ascertained that on 30th June, 1858, the population was 477,345. It may be safely estimated that the number is now close upon 480,000; so that in seven years no fewer than 400,000 souls have been added to the population of Victoria. The rapidity with which this country has become peopled is almost unexampled in the history of any nation, ancient or modern. During the last three years, while the population has rapidly increased, the deaths have remained stationary. The births have increased in the same period nearly in proportion to the increase of population. The num- bers are - deaths in 1855, 6,603: in 1856, 5,732; and in 1857, 7,455; and births, 11,941, 14.4U6 and 17,490 respectively. The influx of Chinese, numbering 34,874 persons, consisting almost entirely of males, has been the subject of much acrimonious discussion, and the Legislature has sought to discourage it by special taxes. A similar course of VICTORIA. cxxvii proceeding having been adopted in South Australia and New South Wales, it seems that Australian opinion is adverse to this description of immigration. In the three years which elapsed between the censuses taken in 1851 and 1854, the number of inhabitants had trebled ; and in the course of the four succeeding years even that population had doubled. The increase altogether has been sixfold within seven years. The manner in which this population has spread itself over the country may be gathered from the circumstance that while the census of 1854 showed but 114 townships and villages, the returns of the census of 1857 detail the number of inhabitants in no less than 204 of such settlements. Bikths.—The number of births, marriages and deaths, and total population in Victoria on the 31st of December of each year from 1851—7, are given in the following summary:— Births. Deaths. Marriages. Population. 1851 .. 3,049 .. 1,165 .. 1,023 .. 83,350 1852 .. 3,758 .. 2,105 .. 1,958 .. 148,627 1853 .. 5,000 .. 5,000 .. .. 198,406 1854 .. 7,542 .. 6,261 .. 3,765 .. 273,S'i5 1855 .. 11,941 .. 6,603 .. 3,846 .. 319,379 1856 .. 14,406 .. 5,732 .. 4,116 .. 348,400 1857 .. 17,490 .. 7,455 .. 4,524 .. 463,135 t MELBOURNE. The City of Melbourne and metropolis of Victoria is in the county of Bourke. It returns five members to the Legislative Assembly, and as it is situate within the Central Province has a voice in the election of five members for the Legislative Council. The population is about 50,000. In the year 1835 thesite was chosen for encampment by Messrs. J. P.Fawkner and John Batman, and so rapid was the progress of the settlement, that in 1837, Sir Richard Bourke, then Governor of New South Wales, determined upon paying an official visit to the prosperous and rising community. He named the town Melbourne, in honor of Lord Melbourne, then English Premier. It is the seat of government, and is situate on the banks of the river Yarra Yarra, about two and a half miles from Hobsons Bay, with which it is connected by a short line of railway (see Railways). By the course of the Yarra the distance is about eight miles. The position of the Meteorological Observatory, at the Crown Lands Office, is in latitude 37° 49' 28" S., longitude 144° 58' 35" E. Melbourne has been described as the Southern City of the Seven Hills. There the likeness to Ancient Home ceases; for it is but the growth of a single generation, and therefore possesses no monuments of antiquity, or works of ancient art of which it can boast. The seven hills alluded to, are the Melbourne Eastern and Western Hills, Batman's Hill, Emerald Hill, St. Kilda Hill, South Yarra Hill, and Richmond Hill. But some of these belong to what would be more correctly CXXviii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. described as the suburbs of Melbourne. Three of them already are distinct municipalities, namely Emerald Hill, St. Kilda, and Richmond. The town was incorporated in August, 1842, by an Act of the Legislative Council of New South Wales (6 Vict. No. 7), and mayor, aldermen, and councillors were thenceforward annually chosen. In 1848 it was erected into an episcopal see, and therefore became entitled to the dignity of "City." Originally it was divided into four, and subsequently into eight wards; one of which, Fitzroy Ward, was constituted a distinct municipality by proclamation dated 9th September, 1858. The seven wards into which it is now divided are Lonsdale, Bourke, Gipps, LaTrobe, Hotham, Smith, and Macarthur, each of which is represented by three councillors, and an alderman. The area of the corporation jurisdiction contains about 9,000 acres. Its boundaries are—on the north, a line two and a half miles, extending from Moonee Ponds to Northcote, thence by the Merri Creek to Heidelberg-bridge, thence along the Heidelberg-road, Reilly- street, Nicholson street, Victoria-parade, Hoddle-street to St. Kilda; thence along the St. Kilda-road to Princes-bridge, the river Yarra to the end of the Tea-tree scrub; thence by a straight line north to the Moonee Ponds, which completes the circuit, irrespective of Macarthur Ward lying between the south bank of the Yarra and Hobson's Bay. The portion of the city known as Melbourne Proper is in Lonsdale, Bourke, Gipps, and LaTrobe wards. It was originally laid out in a rectangular block, and no provision was made for public squares or gardens, either for ornament or health. The five principal streets are 99 feet wide, and about a mile in length, running nearly east and west, named severally, Flinders, Collins, Bourke, Lonsdale and LaTrobe Streets; with smaller ones of 33 feet wide between each, of the same names, but with the addition of the adjective Little; except in the case of Flinders, the diminutive of which is Lane. These are crossed by nine others 99 feet wide, running north and south, namely, Spring, Stephen, Russell, Swancton, Elizabeth, Queen, William, King and Spencer Streets. The town is divided into east and west by Elizabeth- street, which is at the foot of the two principal hills upon which the city is built, and forms its main artery. This street is only about 22 feet above the level of the sea, and is often during heavy rains impassable to pedestrians, in consequence of the the great flow of water from the high ground. Several pro- posals to provide a remedy have been made, but nothing has yet been effectually done. In the immediate vicinity of the city proper, however, on either side, are large park-like reserves, which are included in the other wards, or separate the town from the suburbs. Up to the year 1851, the year of the gold discovery VICTORIA. cxxix Melbourne was but an inconsiderable place, not much larger than an English small market town, but since that period its progress has been marked and substantial. The streets are now well metalled or macadamised, and the footpaths, which in the principal streets are twelve feet wide are being rapidly paved with flag-stones, so that it may be hoped the notorious "Melbourne mud " will soon be only a matter of history. The town is well supplied with light, it having been lit with gas since January 1856. That prime necessary of life, water, is now no longer supplied to the inhabitants from the carrierSs cart, but a plentiful supply from the Yan Yean reservoir (see page lxviii) now circulates through the greater portion of the metropolis, and is also being rapidly extended to the surrounding suburbs. The desirability of erecting ornamental fountains is engaging public attention, and doubtless these grateful and refreshing auxiliaries to health will soon occupy a conspicuous place amongst the improvements that are in progress. The principal approach to the city from the south is by Princes-bridge, across the Yarra, which it spans by an arch of 150 feet. The foundation stone was laid with great ecldl on the 20th March, 1846, a general holiday being observed on the occasion, and it was opened to the public November 12, 1850. Its cost was about £15,000. The bridge is a substantial structure of bluestone, but has only space for two lines of vehicles, and the footways are inconveniently narrow, so that it is quite inadequate to the traffic of the present day. A proposal has been made to remedy the defect by erecting a pathway on either side for the accommodation of pedes- trians. Another bridge is contemplated, across the Falls, which will connect the city with Emerald Hill. There ave also several other bridges across the river in its course round the suburbs. A light structure for foot passengers connects Richmond-park with the Botanical Gardens; an iron tubular bridge unites Richmond and Prahran; a frail wooden structure crosses the river at Hawthorne, which will shortly be replaced by a substantial bridge, now in course of erection; and the Johnston-street and Studley Park bridges connect Collingwood with Kew and Boroondara. The number of houses, in 1843, according to the assessment made in the first quarter of that year, had reached to 1,095. These were variously constructed of brick and stone, iron and wood, zinc or canvas, and the styles of architecture were as multiform. The tide of immigration steadily increased, and in a proportionate ratio the number of habitations, and in the space of ten years they had reached to 4,980. By this time the news of the gold discoveries had given such a stimulus to immigration, that to provide for the wants of the inflowing stream of humanity, upwards of 4,000 additional buildings were erected in one year, so that in 1854 CXXX HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. the number of houses had reached to 9,175. Tear by year the character of the buildings has steadily advanced, and the frail tenements that were at first put up, having served their purpose, are now rapidly giving place to substantial stone and brick dwellings. By the terms of the Building Act now in operation, no wooden structures can be erected within the boundaries of the city, unless at a sufficient distance from other buildings to ensure isolation. The style of the better class of shops in the principal streets may be compared with those of the City of London, but they would scarcely rank with those of the first-class west end depSts. The goods, however, with which they are supplied are from the best markets of the world; and the rich and varied display of wearing apparel for the fair sex, or for supplying the wants of Young Australia, cannot fail to attract the attention of all new arrivals. The massive bluestone stores along the line of wharves, as well as in other parts of the city, are conspicuous objects of attention, and bespeak the extent and importance of the commerce of Victoria. Melbourne is already comparatively rich in stately public buildings, and many more are in course of erection. It will be sufficient for our present purpose to enumerate some of the principal. The new Houses of Legislature (see page cxii), the Treasury, and the Government Printing Offices, on the Eastern Hill, not only occupy a splended site, but will be conspicuous for their architectural grandeur. Besides these, there are the old Government offices in William-street, the Gold Escort Office and Treasury, the Custom House, the Public Lands Office fitted up for the Survey, Railway, Geological, and Meteorological Department, and the old Post Office, in Bourke-street; the latter is soon to give place to a building that will be an ornament to the city. The legal buildings are, the Supreme Court, the County Court, Prothonotary's office, and Police courts. The lawyers have 6uites of chambers in a Temple Court, Collins-street west, so named in consequence of being built for the legal profession. The Vice-regal residence is situate at Toorak, about four miles from town. The principal public commercial buildings are the Melbourne Exchange, the Hall of Commerce and Electric Telegraph Office, and the banks and offices of the different insurance companies. The market buildings are not yet completed. The Town Hall, Swanston-street, is a large stone building, whore the business of the corporation is transacted. In cases of fire, an alarm is given by the Town Hall bell, which summons a well-organised fire brigade, who, by means of the now plentiful supply of water from the Yan Yean, soon have the mastery of the devouring element. Amongst the edifices consecrated to benevolence, are the VICTORIA. cxxxi Melbourne Hospital, in Lonsdale-street; the Lying-in Hospital, at Carlton; the Benevolent Asylum, at North Melbourne, for the reception of the destitute ; and the Yarra Bend Asylum for the insane. Besides these there are two Orphan Asylums, Immigrants and Female Homes, a Kefuge for females; and several philanthropic societies in active operation. A few years since the banks and hotels occupied the first rank amongst the public buildings. They still retain a prominent position, and the recent erections of some of the former far surpass in architectural splendour most of the structures of a like nature in the old country. The new buildings of the Bank of New South Wales ; the English, Scottish, and Australian Chartered Bank; the Oriental Bank; and the Melbourne Savings' l!ank, are illustrations of the fact. New structures for the London Chartered Bank and the Bank of Victoria are in progress. Many of the new hotels are of palatial appearance and proportions, fitted up with all the appliances of modern science, and decorated by the aid of the fine arts. The principal educational establishments are the following: — The Melbourne University, founded in 1854, and opened to the public in 1856, is to the north of the city, about a mile from the Post Office, and is supported by an annual grant of £ 9.0C0. The Museum of Natural History is at the University. The Roman Catholic and Scotch Colleges, on the Eastern Hill, and the Church of England Grammar School, on the Domain- road, South Yarra. The Model Training School, in > onnexion with the National Board of Education, is on the Eastern Hill, and though not distinguished for its architectural beauties, is a commodious building, and doing good service in the cause of education. There are several minor schools, in connexion with either the National or Denominational Boards. The ecclesiastical edifices are numerous, and many of them noble specimens of architecture. Belonging to the Church of England are—St. James's Cathedral, on the Western-hill; St. John's, Elizabeth-street; St. Mary's, North Melbourne; St. Paul's, Swanston-street; St. Peter's, Eastern-hill; and St. Mark's, Collingwood. The Presbyterians have the Scotch Church, Collins-street, east; Chalmers' Church, Eastern hill; St. Andrew's, Carlton; beside several minor buildings. The Koman Catholics, have St. Francis' Cathedral, Lonsdale- street; St. Patrick's, Eastern Hill; St. George's, Carlton; St. Mary's, North Melbourne; St. Augustine's, and a Convent in Nicholson-street, Carlton. The Wesleyans, Independents, and Baptists have some excellent chapels. The new " Wesley Church" in Lonsdale- street, equals, if it does not surpass, any building of a like nature in the city. The Independent chapel in Collins-street, the oldest in the Colony, is a very plain building, but it is in contemplation to erect a new one on its splendid site. The CXXxii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. chapel in Lonsdale-street is an elegant structure. The other Congregational chapels are but temporary buildings with the exception of those in the suburbs, namely, Oxford-street, Collingwood, St. Kilda, and Richmond chapels, which are ornamental and commodious edifices. The Baptist chapels are in Collins-street and Albert-street; the former has been greatly enlarged, and the latter has been just built, both of which when completed will be fit to rank with any other chapels in the city. There are in addition some smaller ones in the city and suburbs. There are also a Lutheran church, a Unitarian Chapel, and a Chinese Chapel, together with Jewish synagogues. The Bethel or Floating Church is moored between Sandridge and Williamstown. Of the Literary Institutions, the most conspicuous are the Public Library, in Swanston-street; and the Mechanics' Institute, Collins-street east. The Philosophical Institute, the Microscopical Society, the Horticultural Society, Fine Arts Society, Industrial Society, &c., hold their meetings either at the latter or other offices. Amongst the miscellaneous public buildings must be noted the Exhibition Building, on the Western-hill, built after the style of the Great Exhibition Building in London, and erected for the purpose of receiving the Australian contributions to the Paris Exhibition in 1855. It is now used for the purpose of levees, concerts, balls, bazaars, &c., in connexion with charitable objects, and the subscription and other conceits of the Philharmonic Society. Also, the Protestant Hall, St. Patrick's Hall, the Melbourne Club, the Victorian Club, and others of a like nature. There are three Theatres, the Hoyal, the Princesses, the Olympic, a Circus, besides several Concert Halls attached to some hotels. Cricket is very popular, as well as other out-door exercises, such as archery, boating, racing, &c. The race-course reserve is at Flemington. In literary matters, there are three daily papers, published in Melbourne; eighteen newspapers or other periodicals weekly; eight monthly journals, besides three Prices Current, on the despatch of the European mail; one quarterly; and several annuals. In addition to these there are many pamphlets on the passing topics of the day constantly issuing from the press, but of larger literary efforts in the shape of good sized volumes, there is a comparative dearth, with the exception of the imported supply. All the principal works, however, issued from the British press soon find their way to the Australian metropolis. The means of ready transit abound. All kinds of passenger vehicles are plentiful. The light car, the omnibus, and the dray, beside numerous private carriages, keep up constant traffic in its streets; and communication with the suburbs is constantly carried on at trifling rates. Steam boats and VICTORIA. cxxxiii wherries also ply on the Yarra, at very moderate fares. Communication with the various gold-fields is by means of four and six-horse coaches, of a somewhat peculiar build, but adapted to the Australian roads. Heavy goods are carried by waggon or dray. The railways in existence, and in progress, are described elsewhere. (See page cxxi.) As before remarked, there are several extensive reserves around the city, appropriated to public recreation. The most interesting and beautiful is that of the Botanical Gardens, on the south side of the Yarra, about a mile above Princes bridge, (see page hex.). Adjoining the gardens is a beautiful reserve called the Military Hill, from which may be obtained a splendid view of the city and the surrounding country. On the west of the St. Kilda road, lies the South Park, which extends from Emerald Hill to St. Kilda. Opposite the Botani- cal Gardens, and connected by a foot-bridge, is the Richmond Paddock, a most beautiful locality and a delightful retieat from the dust and bustle of the city. The Melbourne Cricket Club Ground is situate in this park, and upon occasions of intercolonial and other matches, the paddock presents a most animated appearance, the company generally consisting of the elite of Melbourne, graced by a large concourse of ladies. On the Eastern Hill, and within the town boundaries, is a smaller reserve, called Fitzroy-square, which has been recently reclaimed, and being on undulating ground will one day become a most ornamental park. To the north-east is situated a large enclosure, termed Carlton Gardens; at present only in name—the gardens are now being formed. The beautiful gar- dens attached to the University are also open to the public. The new Melbourne Cemetery is a spacious enclosure about a mile and a half from the Post-office. The use of the old one, near the Flagstaff Hill, has been discontinued since 1853, it having been found too small for the increasing population. The new City of the Dead is tastefully laid out, and adorned with many interesting and beautiful monuments, whose inscriptions tell of blighted hopes or record the virtues of those who rest there. It is divided into different portions, appropriated to the various denominational sections of the community, so that the religious differences of the living are perpetuated at the grave. Melbourne is nearly encircled by populous and thriving sub- urban districts, which are connected by well-made macadamized roads. On the north are the more recently formed townships of Carlton and Brunswick. On the north-east is situated Col- lingwood, which rivals the city in population. On the east, Richmond, now celebrated for its Cremorne Gardens, where at night, during the summer months, entertainments are given similar in character to those of its Chelsea namesake. On the south-east, Toorak, Prahran, Windsor, and the favorite resort of all classes, St. Kilda and Brighton, situate on the shores of L * cxxxiv HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. HobsonSs Bay. On the south the Emerald Hill: on the south- west, the landing port, Sandridge; and on the west and north- west, the rising districts of Flemington and Footscray, near which will be the junction of the new lines of Railway. Beyond the suburbs are the pretty hamlets of Moonee Ponds, Northcote, Heidelberg, Kew, Borooudara, Caulfield, &c., which partake of a rural character, and where many of the more wealthy citizens have erected their country villas. Beside the railways in course of formation, there are four principal thoroughfares out of Melbourne: the northern road, to Sandhurst and the River Murray; north-east, to Sydney; north-west via Ballaarat, to the Pyrenees Ranges; and south- east, to Gipps Land and Western Port. MUNICIPALITIES AND THEIR PROGRESS. There are twenty-six municipalities, as follow:—Ararat, Brunswick, Belfast, Ballaarat, Ballaarat East, Beechworth, Castlemaine, Caris- brook, Dunolly, Emerald Hill, East Collingwood, Fitzroy, Geelong, Kyneton, Kilmore, Melbourne, Maryborough, Maldon, Newtown and Chilwell, Prahran, Portland, Richmond, St. Kilda, Sandhurst, iWilliamstown, and Warrnambool. The undermentioned are petitioning the Executive Council to be proclaimed municipalitiesAmherst, Brighton, Creswick, Hotham Ward, and Pentridge. The extension of the municipal system is one of the most remark- able and pleasing features of this colony. Prior to 1855, there were only two corporate towns in Victoria. In 1858 the number had increased to twenty-one, which latter comprehended, according to the last census, a population of 88,815. The following is the summary of returns given by the Registrar-General: Number of houses erected, 87,213; number of miles of streets formed, 196; number of miles of streets metalled, 135; number of miles of streets channelled and kerbed, 60; expenditure on streets, £1,191,734; annual value of rateable property, £2,115,136.; revenue for the year 1857, £239,579; total expenditure for 1857, £316,969. BRUNSWICK. The Council of Brunswick was incorporated 20th October, 1857, since which time it has expended on the streets of the municipality £2,279 4s. The income during this period amounted to £5,586, of which £991 were collected by rates. There are 30 streets in the district measuring about 33 miles. The number of rateable properties is 1,200; the assessed value of which is £32,000. A blue- stone court-house is in course of erection at a cost of £1000. EAST COLLINGWOOD. East Collingwood was incorporated, its first Municipal Council elected on the 9th October, 1855. It compasses an area of about 1,100 acres; the Yarra Yarra river forming one of its boundaries, about 2J miles in length. Its population, since greatly increased, was, in March 1857, when the census was taken, 10,776. The municipality contains upwards of 20 miles of streets, nearly all of which and their foot- ways are formed; about 15 miles of these streets are metalled; and part of this length channelled and kerbed. VICTORIA. cxxxv The income of the Municipal Council from municipal rates, legisla- tive grants, police fines, binding and license fees, from the time of its formation to the 9th April 1858, £25,615; expenditure on public works for the same period, £22,148, The total number of assessments for 1858, is 3,482, including upwards of 1000 allotments of vacant land. The net valuation of the property of the municipality for 1858, amounted to £84,578, upon which a rate of one shilling was imposed producing £4,228 18s. East Collingwood contains a handsome police court, at which Petty Sessions are held twice a week, and two excellent bridges connecting it across the Yarra with Kew, Hawthorne, Boroondara, and the Anderson gold-fields. EMERALD HILL. Emerald Hill was the first district in Victoria that availed itself of the privilege of local self-government, under Captain Clarke's Munici- pal Act, and was proclaimed a Municipality on 26th May, 1855. The total approximate area (exclusive of the south bank of the Biver Yarra, subsequently annexed), amounts to 1875 acres, from which has to be deducted about 990 acres, for the space taken up by the South Park, St. Kilda Railway, Government and other reserves, roads, streets, &c. The population is estimated at 7000 souls. The valua- tion of property for assessment for the Municipal year 1857-8, amounted to £52,606 10s.; the number of assessments 1903. There are 49 streets in the township, of these (exclusive of the works at present in progress) 4 miles 13 chains have been formed, 2 miles 77 chains metalled, 3 miles 4J chains of channelling, 4 miles 29 chains of kerbing, and 24 chains of flagging have been laid down; the whole at a cost of £25,400. PRAHRAN. Proclaimed a municipal district, 23rd April, 1855. The income from all sources, up to 21st August, 1858, amounted to £29,462 8s. 2d., of which sum £29,064 17s. has been expended on public works; of this amount £22,059 10s. Id. has been received from Government and £7,402 18s. Id. from rates; there is still to be received from Govern- ment £2,473 6s. and over £4000 on rates, before the close of the municipal year in February next, all of which will be expended on public works. There are 125 streets in the municipality, measu- ring nearly thirty-one miles, 14 miles of streets all one chain in width. Two miles of road (Gardiner's Creek Boad) was formed and metalled before the municipality was established, and 7 miles 33 chains have since been formed and metalled, and 5 miles formed on the permanent level. Nine miles 20 chains of footpath have been kerbed with blue gum planking, the entrance to 71 streets pitched with blue stone and the corners kerbed also with blue stone. 170 chains of channelling pitched. The valuation or assessment for 1856 amounted to £66,233 10s.; 1857, £83,648; 1858, £105,054 6s., upon which a rate of 17d. in thepound has been laid. Population on the 1st April, 1857, males 4,118, females, 4,054, total 8,172. Houses 1,954. RICHMOND. Date of first election, 22nd April, 1856. Valuation in 1856, £57,531; 1857, £72,465; 1858, £79,257. A rate of one shilling in the pound struck in each year. Population 10,000. Number of rateable properties, 3,120. 46 streets are now in the hands of con- tractors for the oroper maintenance and repairs. CXXXvi HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. ST. KILDA. The Municipal Council of St. Kilda was incorporated on the 11th March, 1857, since which time it has expended on public works £13,719 3s. The income during the same period (1J years) has been £18,741 12s. 6d., of which £5,525 2s. lOd. was collected from rates. There are 23 miles of street in the municipality, and of these 15 miles 23 chains are formed, 8 miles metalled, 2 miles 20 chains kerbed, 5 miles 1 chain gravelled footpaths and 2 miles channelled; 3 bridges have been built and a great many pitched crossings. The annual rateable value of property within the municipality is £107,683 8s. WILLIAMSTOWN. The Council of Williamstown was incorporated on the 12th of March, 1856; since which time it has expended on public-works, £26,528 17s. 6d. The income during the same period has been, £26,644 1s. 9d., £5,321 19s. 6d. of which was collected from rates. There are fifty-two streets in the township, measuring 15 miles 40 chains, and of these 4 miles 15 chains have been formed and mettled. The length of paths formed and mettled is 15$ miles. The valuation of the town property for assessment is £69,366 10s., and the number of rateable properties 1,542. GEELONG. The earliest mention of " Geelong" occurs in the account of a jour- ney overland made by Messrs. Hume and Hovell into the then unknown Southern country. In the year 1824, these explorers pene- trated from Sydney to the shores of Port Phillip Bay, and learned from the blacks that the water before them was named Geelong. The origin of the Town of Geelong was almost coeval with the arri- val of the first settlers in Port Phillip. In the month of March, 1837, Sir Richard Bourke, the Governor, arrived at Port Phillip, from Sydney, and after making arrangements for local superintendence at Melbourne, visited Geelong. After consulting with Captain Fyans, the police magistrate, he gave instructions to the Surveyor-General to lay out the present township, or rather to lay out two townships, North Geelong on the bay, and South Geelong on the river. Since that period, the two have become merged, and a number of smaller villages been absorbed in the incorporated town of Geelong, embra- cing an area of thirty-six square miles. Geelong is the capital town of the county of Grant, is remarkably picturesque, well laid out on ground sloping towards the Bay, and overlooking the anchorage. Its situation is adapted for the empo- rium of trade for the western district of the colony, and the outlet for all its export products, having a populous agricultural district around it. The distance from Melbourne by water is about 45, and 41 miles by Geelong and Melbourne Railway. Steamers run daily to and from Melbourne. About a mile and a quarter from the bay, the river Barwon passes Geelong in its toituous course to the ocean. After passing Geelong, the Barwon pursues a south-easterly course, for about nine or ten miles, when it spreads out into a series of lakes called Connewarre, and ultimately flows into the Great Southern Ocean. The river is crossed by a pontoon bridge, but there is in course of erection an iron bridge of two arches at a cost of £70,000. VICTORIA. cxxxvii On the western bank of the Barwon, there is much fine land and beautifully picturesque scenery, called the Barrabool bills, consisting of decomposed trap-rock, and presenting the most fertile soil to their very summits, covered with large farms and extensive vineyards. The Harbor is a beautiful cove, running nearly east and west, and con- tains, like the outer bay, an admirable anchorage close up to the township on the northern shore, and well sheltered from the prevailing winds. It is to be regretted that a bar extends across the entrance to the harbor, which is now being cleared by a dredging machine, to a depth sufficient to admit a clipper fleet, a work which is expected to be completed in about eighteen months. The present population is about 25,000 souls, a much smaller number than it contained prior to the establishment of the townships of Buninyong and Ballaarat, the consolidation of these gold-fields having permanently absorbed a large proportion of the inhabitants of Geelong, and temporarily checked its progress. When the bar is removed, so as to admit of vessels of heavy tonnage lying alongside the wharves, there is no doubt that direct consigning will be much increased, and trade generally improved. The streets are laid out at right angles, evidently upon the same plan as those of Melbourne, the principal ones named after the rivers Moorabool and Yarra, are of ample width and adorned with a variety of handsome and substantial shops and buildings, but the same error which has deformed Melbourne, that of alternating the wide streets by mere lanes has prevailed here, notwithstanding which, in point of salubrity of air, and superiority of position, Geelong stands pre-eminent in the colony of Victoria. The town of Geelong was incorporated by an Act passed by the Legislative Council of New South Wales, in the 13th year of Her present Majesty's reign, and assented to 12th October, 1849. The public and private buildings are of a most substantial and ornamental character, comprising the Custom House, Post Office, Telegraph, Supreme Court, Police Office, Mechanics' Institute, Town Hall, Hall of Commerce; several Churches of English, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Wesleyan, Independent, Baptist, and other denominations, and a corresponding number of schools, inclu- ding two Grammar schools. (See another page.) The Theatre Royal has a plain unpretending exterior, but good internal arrangements. The steady increase of the port of Geelong, may be gathered from the following return of the value of Imports and Revenue collected during the years mentioned:— Years. Value of Imports. Revenue. £ s. d. 1848 13,051 1,441 16 6 10,708 12 3 1848 33,532 1850 60,423 18,987 9 7 1851 122,318 20,588 10 7 1852 604,738 49,785 10 6 1853 .. 1,705,522 116,3o7 6 1 1854 .. 2,044,694 152,111 8 2 1855 .. 1,207,838 161,643 18 0 1850 997,272 218,311 15 7 242,992 7 9 1857 .. 1,177,843 7,867,231 987,878 14 2 CXXXViii HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. The completion of the Ballaarat Railway will make Geelong a place of great importance, as the sea-port of the western gold fields. (Par- ticulars of the Railways, vidt contents.) The Corporation of Geelong has already formed 20 miles and 66 chains of metalled streets; 4 miles and 69 chains are kerbed and channelled; the total expenditure, up to 19th July 1858, being £277,184 10s. 6d. The number of houses in the municipality is 5,796. From May 1, 1850, to May 1, 1854, the sum of £41,199 was expended in the different wards, namely, Barwon, Bellerine, Villa- manta, and Kardinia. The following is a statement of the Receipts and Disbursements of the Ueelong Corporation, for years ending 31st August:— Balance in Hand. £ s. d. 18 17 9 170,991 6 6 .. 1.677 14 3 Due to Bank. .. 3,556 10 2 .. 2,697 8 11 Municipalities have been lately formed in or near Geelong, called South Barwon, Newtown and Chilwell. A tastefully laid out Botanical Garden has been constructed at the east end of Geelong, and already possesses a varied and extensive collection of shrubs, trees, and plants, which occupies an area of from 6 to 700 acres, well fenced m, and forming a most agreeable promenade and pleasure ground overlooking the Bay; the expenses of its maintenance being defrayed by an annual grant from Parliament. There are two fine bathing establishments, the larger one of which is situate on the eastern beach; the other, more recently erected, and somewhat smaller, on the western. A very delightful pleasure garden has been recently opened, at a short distance from Geelong, on the highest point of the Barrabool Hills; the beauty of its situation fully justifying its appellation of "Montpellier," and one of the most attractive spots for parties visiting the locality. Geelong returns four representatives to the House of Assembly, and is included in the South-western Province, which sends five members to the legislative Council. Year. Revenue. Expenditure. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1853 17,638 1 1 17,619 3 4 1854 . 235,503 17 10 64,531 9 1 1855 29,486 14 9 .. 198,800 7 0 1856 29,276 15 8 34,511 0 1 1857 23,582 9 11 26,279 18 10 COUNTRY DISTRICTS. *99 Names of official and other public men, the local institutional the ministers of the various churches, tfcc., are published monthly in Bradtkaw's Qiride to Victoria. AMHERST, or OLD DAISY HILL, is a very neat little town- ship. It is situate about 12 miles south-west from Carisbrook, 12 south-east from Avoca, and 10 south from Maryborough. The country about Amherst is highly picturesque, and the soil is well suited for agricultural and horticultural purposes. There are three excellent hotels in the town. It has many of the features of a neat, well-built hamlet in England. The Daisy Hill gold-fields are well known. The locality is highly auriferous. The country from Amherst to Carisbrook is very beautiful, and has the advantage of a fair creek, which renders VICTORIA. cxxxix property in the neighbourhood desirable and valuable. Amherst baa several banks and well-built churches, school-bouses, &c. ANDERSON'S CREEK.—Waeeandtte.—On the south bank of the Yarra Yarra, about 14 miles from Melbourne, where there is a punt. The road lies through Hawthorne, Kew, Boroondara, and Doncaster, or through Heidelberg, across the punt at that place, and so through Templestowe to the Creek. "Warrandyte, on Anderson's Creek on the Yarra Yarra, is a Government township, at which place is now erected the Local Court or Court of Mines for the St. Andrew's District, of which Caledonia and Anderson's Creek are component parts. There is also a police station, post-office, warden's offices, Government camp, and several stores. There are three quartz crushing machines, and one smelting machine. There is a postal communication twice a week. Anderson's Creek is a polling place for the county of Evelyn. On crossing the Yarra Yarra the northern bank at thisplace is very precipitous, but practicable for bullock drays. The ascent is short and the road from thence to Caledonia very fair. Population of Anderson's Creek and Caledonia, 1,450. ARARAT is an inland mining township, in the county of Ripon, Was surveyed and sold in July, 1858. Is situated 134 miles from Melbourne, 60 from Ballaarat, 30 from Fiery Creek, and 25 from Pleasant Creek. Population of the district, 21,050. The land in the vicinity of Ararat is auriferous, and is at present being extensively worked. The air is clear and invigorating; good water is scarce. The town at present comprises one street, which contains many extensive stores and hotels, besides three banks. The Ararat Adver- tiser is published twice a week, and the Ararat Times once a week. Ararat is the centre and principal town of the Western Gold Fields. AVOCA.—The town of Avoca was laid out in 1854, and is beautifully situated on the Avoca River, about twelve miles from its source in the Pyrenees. It is distant about 117 miles from Melbourne. The population of Avoca and its neighborhood is at present estimated at 4,450 persons, of whom 1,250 are Chinese. There are three public schools in the place, and one bank. Public worship is held in the Episcopalian and Wesleyan school-houses. Avoca is about 12 miles from Amherst, 16 miles from Maryborough, 26 miles from Dunolly, and 40 miles from Pleasant Creek, Ararat, Ballaarat, and Castlemaine, to which places there are coaches every other day. Criminal Sessions are held at Carisbrook, 3 miles from Maryborough. The telegraph is being extended to Avoca from Castlemaine, by way of Tarrengower, Dunolly, and Maryborough. BACCHUS MARSH.—A township on the road to Ballaarat, about 34 miles from Melbourne. The population, including that of Pentland Hills, is about 1,500. There are a police office, mechanics' institute, road board office, and several churches. Fine agricultural land exists around the township. BALLAARAT is the centre of the most extensive gold-field, and the capital of the counties of North Grant and North Grenville. It is distant from Melbourne 78 miles, from Geelong 63, Ararat 65, Pleasant Creek 85, Maryborough 45, Castlemaine 47, and Bendigo 76 miles. Ballaarat consists of two townships, West and East; the former was erected into a municipality on the 23rd of January, 1856; and the latter in June, 1857. Population of the Ballaarat district is clx HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. over 40,000, half of which live in the two townships. Ballaarat West is well laid out on elevated ground, and is separated from Ballaarat East by the Yarrowee Creek. The town contains many handsome stone and brick buildings, several churches and chapels, five banks, and a hospital. The latter building is the finest on Ballaarat, and can accommodate over 200 patients. Ballaarat East is situate on a flat, and stretches from N.W. to S.E. about 2 miles. The main road, which is the principal street, contains several fine stores and shops, which are lit with gas, as also all the banks and hotels in both municipalities. The country in and about Ballaarat is composed of bold ranges, and extensive gullies and flats; most of the gullies run towards the large flat on which Ballaarat East is situate, and which is between 2 and 3 miles wide. Nearly all the gullies contain leads of gold, which are termed alluvial diggings, most of which run towards the flat, where several connect together and take their course in a westerly direction, thence followed up through Ballaarat West. At first the sinkings were shallow, but are now often over 250 feet deep, and are worked by steam machinery. The shallow ground, as well as those leads which were formerly worked by manual labor, have been worked over again by horse and steam power. Sluicing is extensively introduced in the district. In some of the deep leads blasting through rock of from 10 to 100 feet in thickness has to be resorted to. Some shafts have taken six to nine months to sink, and years will be necessary to work out the larger claims. Bich quartz mines are also opened in the district, and a large number of quartz crushing machines have been erected. The largest natural piece of gold in the world was found on Bakery Hill, Ballaarat, 180 feet from the surface, weighing 1,217 ozs., called the "Welcome Nugget." The ground about Ballaarat is suited for agri- cultural purposes, and extensive farms are in the process of cultivation. Ballaarat sustains two steam flour mills and several steam saw mills. There are three theatres and five concert halls, besides about 100 hotels; a new theatre is in course of erection. BALLAN.—A township in the county of South Grant, situate on an eminence on the banks of the Werribee Biver, on the main road from Melbourne to Ballaarat, distant from the former 46 miles, from the latter 25 miles. It is surrounded by an agricultural district. The new Gordon gold-fields and Kerrit Barrett are 7 miles, and Mount Blackwood 14 miles distant. The climate is salubrious, but in the winter season, on account of its elevated position, very cold. During the dry season an extensive traffic is carried on between the Western gold-fields and Melbourne. There are a steam flour mill post-office, and four stores. • BELVOIE, or WODONGA.—On the Wodonga Creek, on the Victoria side of the River Murray, opposite to the town of Albury, Population about 400. BEECHWOETH.—The capital of the Murray district, and of the Ovens gold-fields, distant from Melbourne 166, and from the Murray river, 25 miles. It is situate on an eminence 1,725 feet above the level of the sea; was first surveyed in May, 1853; and, from its con- tinued and rapid increase, was proclaimed a municipality in August, 1856; its population is about 2,500. Extensive stores and many private dwellings have been erected, an Athenaeum and Chamber of Commerce established; and its public buildings, the banks of Austra- lasia, New South Wales, and Victoria; the court-house, town-hall, VICTORIA. 1 hospital, churches, telegraph-office, and post-office, would do credit to the majority of the country towns in England. The town embraces a reserve of 945, and the municipality of 1,347 acres; the climate is remarkably healthy, the air being very pure and dry: average tem- perature, in winter, 4798°, in summer, 6897°. There is very little agricultural land within a radius of ten miles: the town principally depends for success on the prosperity of the surrounding diggings, and there is every indication of progress and prosperity. The Ovens and Murray Advertiser, and Constitution newspapers are published daily, and the Mining Journal) at Snake Valley, within five miles of Beech- worth, weekly. BELFAST, Poet Fairy.—A seaport on the western coast, be- tween Warrnambool and Portland, about 186 miles from Melbourne. The town is built on the banks of the River Moyne, at its confluence with the sea. It is laid out in the form of a quadrangle. The custom house is at the south end of Gipps-street. There are the usual pub- lic offices, such as court-house, police quarters, sub-treasury, road-board offices, municipal council chambers, and several large stores and wharves. The banks of Australasia and Victoria, the Wesleyan, Episcopal, and Presbyterian churches are fine buildings. There are also some good hotels. The Belfast Gazette and Belfast Banner are published weekly. BENALLA.—On the Broken River, en route to Beechworth, Albury, and Sydney, about 119 miles from Melbourne. The village was laid out about the year 1846; it contained in 1853 about 250 nhabitants, and in 1858 numbers about 700, who are principally employed in agricultural pursuits, the land in the neighborhood being well adapted for the growth of grain. There are two excellent hotels, six stores, a steam flour mill, a brewery in course of erection, a National and Roman Catholic school, a Roman Catholic chapel, a court house, post office, and an electric telegraph office. Divine service in con- nexion with the Episcopalian, Roman Catholic, and Presbyterian churches is regularly hela. Benalla is the head quarters of the police district of Wangaratta, Mansfield, Shepparton, Mulwaley, Violet Town, and Euroa. In winter the climate is delightful, but in summer the heat is excessive. The fruits of the temperate zone are grown in abundance, especially grapes, to which both climate and soil seem peculiarly adapted. The Strathbogie gold-field is 40 miles from Benalla. BENDIGO.—Sandhurst is the centre of the Bendigo gold-field, county unnamed; it is distant from Melbourne 97 miles, Murray Baver 60, Campaspe 15, and Loddon 25 miles. The township of Sand- hurst was erected into a municipality on the 10th January, 1856, beginning, south, at Golden Square, and running north, below the iWellington Hotel, White Hills. Population, over 12,000; average annual assessment, £150,000; actual value of buildings for municipal rate, between £900,000 and £1,000,000 sterling. There are many handsome stone and brick buildings, with showy plate glass fronts. The country in and about Sandhurst is composed of a number of bold ranges and extensive gullies; situated in many of these ranges are the rich quartz reefs, which have given a world-wide renown to the Bendigo gold-fields. The gullies are what are termed alluvial, and B 2 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. many of these have been turned over by the tub and cradle miner, and are now undergoing the process of puddling by horse-power. The estimated number of machines is 2050, each employing on an average, four men and two horses; the rough estimate or capital thus employed is half-a-million sterling. Pall Mall, the central business street, has some handsome structures. There is a well organised Mechanics9 Institute, a handsome Theatre that cost £3,000, and the Shamrock Free Concert Hall. The Episcopalians, the Roman Catholics and the Wesleyans have handsome places of worship; and the Presbyterians and Independents are about erecting substantial buildings. Local manufactures are being established; there are an excellent pottery, a soap and candle manufactory, a steam flour and a steam saw mill and a tannery. BLACKWOOD (MOUNT), situated in county of West Bourke, and distant about 54 miles to the north-west of Melbourne. A town- ship at Golden Point has been surveyed and set out, but no land has as yet been sold. There are no buildings with the exception of wooden erections, and the generality of them are of a very temporary nature. There is a camp reserve, with court of petty sessions, police-barracks, and a gaol. Upwards of twenty stores are scattered up and down, and there are several licensed publicans. Also a post-office. Two Denominational schools in connexion with the Church of England. A Roman Catholic church is erected. There is no direct coach communication; the coach running between Melbourne and Ballaarat is the nearest conveyance, passengers from either of those places are set down at the Pentland Inn or Blows' Station, about 12 miles from Golden Point, both places being about eaui-distant from the latter. A few stage waggons ply regularly to and from Melbourne. These diggings, which are principally alluvial, reach from Frenchman's Point to Simmons' Reef, running east and west, a distance of about eight miles along the Lerderderg River,and extend over numerous tributary gullies, covering an area of nearly eight square miles. At Simmons9 Beef, quartz mining and crushing are carried on to a considerable extent. The machinery is nearly all driven by water power. Sluicing operations are carried on upon an extensive scale, ana a few aqueducts of some pretensions have been constructed in connexion with the races, some of which are over six miles in length. There are a few puddling machines also, and a few small water wheels in use for pumping. The Blackwood diggings were discovered in 1854, and at one time the popu- lation was estimated at nearly 25,000. There has been a great falling off, however, in this respect, for the present population is supposed not to exceed 1,200. The declension took place almost immediately after the rush, and the population since has not fluctuated much over 1,000. The district lies high, the mean vertical height above the level of the sea being about 1,600 feet. It possesses in consequence of its altitude a highly bracing and healthy climate. Mountain forests, thickly scrubbed, surround it on all sides. Beautiful specimens of native heaths abound. BUCKLAND.—The Buckland gold-field was discovered in October, 1853. The district includes Buckland River, Ovens River, Happy Billey Creek, and their tributaries, commencing on the Ovens River at the junction of the Happv Valley Creek. The Government camp on the Buckland is distant from Melbourne, by the Wangaratta-road, VICTORIA. 3 about 230 miles, but in a direct line only 175. Near the camp there are three public houses, a branch of the Oriental Bank Corporation, a denominational school, and seven or eight stores. The population of the district, according to the last census, was, males, 733; females, 192; children, 148; total other than Chinese, 1,073. The view from all parts of the Buck land River is very confined, but rather romantic, the ranges being very high and close. In winter the sun is only seen above the horizon six to seven hours during the day. Hitherto Buckland has been famed for the richness of the gold deposits found in alluvial matter. Several quartz reefs have recently been discovered. An abundant supply of water has been provided, and turned to advantage by the construction of dams and water races, the latter in some instances conveying water 10 to 16 miles. Considerable expense has been incurred in supplying this great desideratum to mining enter- prise. A new gold-field has been discovered within the boundaries of the Buckland, on the Ovens River; the gold is coarse and heavy. The lead of the present workings on the Buckland are distant about 13 miles from its source, and is only separated from Livingstone Creek and Lake Omeo gold-fields by about half a degree of east longi- tude; but the snowy ranges of the Australian Alps form the impassible barrier. No land has been sold in the district, and conse- quently, as yet, there is hardly any sign of agriculture. The absence of the agriculturalist is partially remedied by most of the miners having small gardens attached to their huts. The site of a township has been surveyed on the Ovens crossing, distant on the Melbourne road about 15 miles from the camp; it is surrounded by fertile land; the scenery is very agreeable, embracing the valley along the banks of the Ovens Eiver and the lofty ranges with which it is surrounded; the peaks of the Buffalo rising to an altitude of 6000 feet, and covered with snow during six months in the year. BUNINYONG, an inland township in the county of Grant, is pleasantly situate 1 mile west from Mount Buninyong, in 36° 20' S. lat., and 143° 55' E. long., and is distant from Melbourne 89 miles, from Geelong 47 miles, and from Ballaarat 6 miles; the Geelong and Ballaarat road running through its centre. The volcanic soil here is of the richest and most productive nature, generally thickly timbered. From the high altitude of Buninyong and its neighborhood the air is bracing, and from the numerous fresh water springs with which this locality abounds the township is plentifully supplied with the best of water. The principal street is on the Ballaarat and Geelong Main Boad, which is macadamised; there are several substantial buudings; one large stone hotel, a stone court of petty sessions and a warden's office, two large brick school-rooms, Episcopalian and Boman Catholic, and a large brick parsonage (Episcopalian), together with some handsome private residences. The Telegraph newspaper is published twice a week. Buninyong on the south and west is bounded by the famous Buninyong and Ballaarat Gold Fields, and within 3 miles of it, the first discovery of gold in Victoria was said to be made by Hiscock in a quartz-reef named after him. The population within the town boundary is about 4,000. One member of the Assembly represents the district of North Grant, of which Buninyong and the adjacent country form a division, and this division has a share in the representation of the South-Western Province in the Council. B 2 4 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. CALEDONIA.—The St. Andrew diggings are 23 miles from Melbourne. The route is through Eltham and Kangaroo grounds. CARISBROOK.—A municipal township, situate at the junction of Tallaroop and McCullum's Creeks, distant from Melbourne 99 miles, and from Castlemaine 25 miles. The surrounding country is fine agricultural land, and it is cultivated to a considerable extent. The streets are well planned and metalled, buildings mostly of brick, shops Sood, and an abundant supply of water. Coaches pass to and from lelbourne daily. Carisbrook is a magnificent site for a large town. The circuit court of the Avoca district is held here. CASTLEMAINE, in the county of Talbot, Loddon district, is situate at the junction of Forest and Barker's Creeks, forming Camp- bell's Creek which flows into the Loddon. It is the central point of the gold-fields and of the colony, being nearly equi-distant from Port Phillip and the Murray River. It lies 77 miles north-west from Melbourne, with Sandhurst or Bendigo 28 miles to the north, and Maryborough or Simpson's diggings 30 miles to the west. Gold was discovered on Forest Creek in the Tatter part of 1851. In 1852 the site of the township was surveyed and part of it laid out in blocks of five acres, intersected by five streets running N. and S., and fifteen streets running E. and W., all 99 feet wide, and about 600 building allotments of one rood each have been sold, the town boundary extending to an area of two miles in length, by one mile wide. The Camp was established in 1852, and removed to its present site in 1854. It is adorned with some neat villas and public offices of wood, iron, and brick, together with barracks and stabling, and a few pretty garden plots. The first municipal council was elected in January, 1856. There are two newspapers, the Mount Alexander Mail and Miner's Might, published on alternate days. The hospital was estab- lished in 1853; it is a handsome stone building of two stories, with two wings built of brick, and affords accommodation for 60 patients. The first permanent place of worship was erected in 1855, and there are now seven substantial edifices of brick and stone—the Church of England, the Church of Rome, the Presbyterian, the Congregational, the Wesleyan, the Methodist, and the Bible Christians. The Free Church of Scotland use the Mechanics' Hall. There are also several smaller places of worship and school-houses in connexion with most of the above. The Town Hall is a neat brick building, and near it are the Post-office, Electric Telegraph, Sub-Treasury, and Gold Offices, Savings' Bank, Police Court, and Supreme Court House, all substantial stone edifices; the Mechanics' Institute is a commodious brick build- ing, occupying a site near the Survey and Land Office. There are two flour mills, a large iron foundry, two smelting and assay offices for gold, a pottery, manufactories of soap and candles, and tanneries. A market is established and a weighbridge erected near the market houses. The Gaol is an extensive stone building, and the Powder Magazine, also of stone, is erected on a hill on the western town boundary. There are about eighteen hotels and two concert rooms in the town, and a theatre is in course ef erection. Cobb's coaches run three times a day to and from Melbourne, daily to Sandhurst and Maryborough, and other conveyances ply between the villages of Forest and Campbell's Creeks. There are four banks, beside a branch , VICTORIA. 5 of the Provident Institute of Victoria and Deposit Bank. Extensive wholesale and retail trade is carried on with an extensive surrounding district. CLUNES is about 12 miles in a north-westerly direction from Creswick, and is notable as being the place where an early discovery of gold was made; also at a more recent period for the prosperity of a co-operative company. The extensive operations of the Port Phillip and Colonial Gold Mining Company are carried on there. The .working of the quartz reefs are systematically conducted. This is one of the best conducted mines in the colony, and reflects great credit on the leaseholders. CRESWTCK.—A township in the county of Talbot, situated about 12 miles north from Ballaarat, near the summit of the great dividing range. The distance from Melbourne is about 106 miles, and Geelong 64. It was surveyed and laid out in 1854, and will shortly be proclaimed a municipality. The land in the vicinity of Creswick is alluvial, of the most fertile description, and is well watered by numerous creeks. The Creswick Creek diggings have a high reputation, the government escort averaging about 1,000 ozs. per week. The population of the town is estimated at about 1,000, that of the surrounding gold-field at about 2,500; besides which there is a large and flourishing agricultural population, the parishes of GlendarnaL Ascot, and Spring Hill being within a circuitof 6 miles. The township contains one National, and three Denominational schools, and two banks, besides the usual government offices. A court of mines, and county court are held once every two months. The Creswick Advertiser is published once a week. DA YLESFORD—Known as Jim Crow diggings, about 12 miles from Castlemaine. DBOMANXA.—In the Western Port district, twelve miles south of Schnapper Point, on the eastern coast of Port Phillip bay, at the foot of the eminence called Arthur's Seat. It was surveyed and laid out for a township in 1856. There is a trigonometrical tower of about 40 feet crowning Arthur's Seat, about 900 feet above the level of the sea. DUNOLLY (Mount Moliagul), termed the key to the north- western gold-fields is situated about 125 miles from Melbourne; population 1,500. It contains several large wholesale stores, and many fine retail shops; five large hotels and four smaller public houses; a Church of England school house, used also as a church; a denominational school, Wesleyan chapel and school; four banks, and a mechanics' institute. A daily mail from Melbourne, and one conveyance daily to and from Maryborough. Dunollv was proclaimed a municipality in 1857. There is plenty of land adjoining the town well adapted for agriculture, unsold and unsurveyed. Several hundred acres are under cultivation in the neighborhood. Many of the neighboring gold-fields draw their supplies from Dunolly. The following are the distances from this township:—Burnt Creek 3 miles, Jones' Creek 7, Sandy Creek 11, Moliagul 8, Cochrane's 10, Kingower 20, Mclntyre 15, Jordan's 25, Korong 40, Bet Bet 5. The quartz reefs are very rich, more particularly in the neighborhood of Sandy Creek. There is an abundance of excellent building stone near the town, and also a large brick-field. G HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. ECHUCA.—An inland port, situate on the south bank of the Biver Murray, about a mile from Moama (Maiden's punt), and distant from Melbourne 135 miles. The sudden rise of this township is an illustration of individual enterprise successfully carried out. It is only- four years since that Mr. Henry Hopwood settled there with a punt of superior construction, and as he anticipated an increased importation of live stock from New South Wales, prepared every facility for aiding that trade; the result has equalled his expectations. The site was well selected, being situated on a peninsula formed by the approximation of the two rivers Murray, and Campaspe, whose waters join immediately below the township, Echuca was surveyed in 1855, and most of it sold. The trunk line of the railwav survey afterwards terminated there, as affording the most eligible locality for its extension at some future period into New South Wales. The consequence has been that as the Government will offer no more land for sale in the township nor suburbs until the line be completed, town lots are now exchanging? hands at very high prices The trade of the town is chiefly supported by the overland stock traffic, and which in the year 1856-7 amounted to above £1,250,000 sterling. During the first years' operations of the South Australian Steam Navigation Company on the Murray, an attempt was made to connect the river trade at Echuca with the Bendigo gold district, but after a feeble trial, it was obliged to give way to the effects arising from the good road afterwards completed from the metropolis to Sandhurst; however, it still remains an entrepot for that trade for the surrounding districts. Since the settlement of the locality, Mr. Hopwood has built a pontoon bridge across the Murray, 854 feet in length, and also, a span bridge across the Campaspe, 120 feet in length, with built approaches 170 feet in addition, with a clear in- side width of 11 feet. This bridge, forthe erection of which an Act of the Legislature had to be obtained, is of a novel construction, and before its bein^ finally placed in its present position, was temporarily built and subjected to the test of a body of 204 soldiers marching across. The electric telegraph has been extended to the township, therefore connecting it with Melbourne and Adelaide. A fine hotel has been erected there, and a large wool and produce store. This is one of the most flourishing and advancing towns in the interior, is possessed of a large trade, and surrounded by some of the best pastoral country in the colony. ^ The climate approaches that of the tropics, and attempts are now being made to cultivate the orange and other tropical productions. FRANKSTON.—In the Western Port district, 29 miles from Mel- bourne, on the eastern coast of Port Phillip bay. Was surveyed and laid out for a township in the year 1853, having one roadside inn, a school-house, post-office and store. It is a police station. GAP (THE).—On the Mount Alexander road, about 24 miles from Melbourne. It was laid out and proclaimed in 1854. There are twelve streets, intersected by the main road. It is 2 miles from Sunbury on the east, and 15 from Bacchus Marsh on the west; it is watered by the Coroit Creek, and contains three commodious hotels, five stores, post-office, and Denominational school, in which Divine Service is performed every Sabbath. The township is situated between two hills, and is 3000 feet above the level of the sea, com- manding a view of the northern shore of Port Phillip Bay, from VICTOBIA. 7 iWilliamstown to Geelong. The air ia most salubrious, and the scenery in the immediate neighborhood is very beautiful. The line of the Melbourne and Murray Hiver Railway is about a mile from the township. GIPPS LAND.—The principal towns are Tarraville, Port Albert. Sale, and Alberton. Tarraville is distant from Port Albert 3£ miles, Alberton and Victoria 4 miles from Port Albert. Port Albert is situate about 112 miles from Melbourne, eastward of Port Phillip Heads. Cape Liptrap is 81 miles from Melbourne, forming the boundary of Gipps Land; the distance from Cape Liptrap to Wilson's Promontory being 30 miles. Port Albert was discovered by Mr. A. McMillan, of Bushy Park, on the 14th February, 1841. Several attempts were made by him at intervals, to open up the country, which ultimately proved successful. His efforts were furthered by Count Strzelecki, Capt. Eoss, R.N., Dr. Arbuckle, Messrs. Cameron, McAlister, Bath, and others. The attacks made upon the exploring parties by the aborigines impeded their work, but m the year 1844 numerous lakes, rivers, and mountains were discovered, which were duly recorded in despatches forwarded to His Honor C. J. LaTrobe, Mr. McMillan and Mr. C. J. Tyers. Providence Ponds, Lake ellington, the Avon, McAlister, and Thomson rivers were discovered the first trip. The whole of the district was called Caledonia Australis. The large plains were discovered the first trip, and were called Mc Arthur Plains, after the late John McArthur, Esq., of Camden, New South Wales; the McAlister River was named after L. McAlister, Esq., of Clifton, New South Wales; the Thomson River after E, Deas Thomson, Esq., Sydney, then Colonial Secretary. The climate is very salubrious and the soil remarkably fertile. The large number of squatting stations in this part of Victoria indicate its advantages for stock, &c. Banks, societies, churches, schools, hotels, &c., are nu- merous in the principal districts. The Gipps Xiand Guardian is published in Port Albert every Friday. Weekly steam communica- tion with Melbourne. GISBORNE.—This township is 31 miles from Melbourne, on the Castlemaine-road. Several churches, schools, and societies, with good hotels. Coaches pass from Melbourne three times a day. GOULBURN RIVER—(See article on Seymour).—Among the very few rivers in the colony of Victoria, having the slightest preten- sions to never failing streams, the Goulburn should be classed the first. Little is really known of the capabilities of this fine river. Rising on the north side of the Australian Alps, or Great Dividing Range (within a few miles of the source of the Yarra, which falls from the south side), it waters an extensive tract of diversified country. Several important streams, the Howqua, Big River, Delatite, Acheron, and numerous other creeks join it in its northerly course, until it falls into the Murray a few miles east of Maiden's Punt. The upper part of the Goulburn, down to the township of Seymour, the crossing place of the Sydney-road, is a tortuous course of several hundred miles. Its numerous rocky falls and other obstructions in the shape of sandy bars and large fallen trees, render it impracticable to navigation; but9 from Seymour the entire length of this river to its junction with the Murray is about 350 miles. The Goulburn and Murray are 8 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. navigable at the same period of the year, commercial operations being completely in the hands of traders in South Australia, who can absolutely come a distance of upwards of 2000 miles by water, deliver their goods in Victoria, and derive a profitable speculation from the result. They are thus enabled to discharge their cargoes and receive their return freights of wool, &c., at the very threshold of the north-eastern gold-fields of Victoria. The upper part of the Goulburn, above Seymour, is in many places extremely picturesque, interspersed with rocky falls, varied by overhanging trees of the gum tribes, with occasionally long vistas of the mimosa lining its hanks The prevailing character of the land through which it flows is good for most agricultural purposes, while the extensive rich alluvial flats, from their being frequently flooded by the rain, are better adapted for grazing purposes. The whole river teems with fish; the largest and best is the Murray cod, which is frequently caught weighing from 70 to 90 lbs.; but the finest flavored and most delicate eating, weigh from 15 to 26 lbs.; they are easily caught with a live frog or the small fish of almost any of the varieties found in the river. There are also the lobster, weighing as much as 3 lbs. or even more, and the pawn, which is found as large and as fine flavored as can be had in any part of the world. Wild fowl abound in the river, and every creek and lagoon in its route; the black duck, wood duck,Smusk duck, teal, wild goose, and, occasionally the black swan and the shag, with an almost infinite variety of waders and other land birds, whose food is more plentifully found on the banks of rivers. That extraordinary amphibious animal, the platypus, is very numerous, also a large kind of water rat is fre- quently met with. The land animals are, perhaps, more numerous on the banks of this river than anywhere else in the colony; the opossum and native cat may be seen almost on every tree during the moonlight nights, and the footprints of the kangaroo may be seen in every secluded nook bordering the stream. The poor aboriginal is fast dis- appearing from the district of the Goulburn; a very few scattered remnants of their tribes are now to be met with, for wherever the white man plants his foot, the signal is sounded for the unfortunate black to retire before the progressive strides of civilization and im- provement. HAMILTON.—A post town, situated 60 miles inland, equi-distant from the sea-ports of Portland and Port Fairy, and about 184 miles from Melbourne. The Grange Burn runs through the site allotted for the town, and forms the boundary between the two counties of Normanby and Dundas. The principal mail roads from the capital run though Hamilton and branch off in all directions, to the westward, to Adelaide and the northern settlements. The land being of first-rate quality, it is surrounded on all sides by agricultural farms and a busy and thriving population, numbering about 3000. A large quantity of grain and hay is raised in the district, which finds a ready market at the Ararat diggings (65 miles distant). A steam flour mill is in ope- ration, and a second is in course of erection. The town contains an Episcopalian, a Presbyterian, and a Roman Catholic chapel; the two former are of stone; the Presbyterian is just completed, and has a "steeple intended to contain a town clock and bell. There are a National and a Denominational school; there is also a Public Library with a large collection of useful books; a Pastoral and an Agricultural VICTORIA. 9 Society which hold periodical shows of stock and farm produce. The Road Board for the district hold their meetings in the township, and a municipal chamber will soon be added to its local institutions. There are six stores. The town is very well situated, and has a fine view of Mount Abrupt, one of the peaks of the Grampians. The country around is undulating and slightly wooded, principally with the blackwood tree. A few miles from the township are the Wannon Falls, at two points on the Wannon River. It is in the electoral district of Dundas and Follett. HEATHCOTE.—About 66 miles from Melbourne. A rising town- ship, the population being about 2,500. Several churches, hotels, &c. Gold escort leaves every fortnight. KILMORE.—An inland town, about 36 miles from Melbourne, the capital of the counties of Dalhousie and Anglesey. Eight square miles of the land in and around Kilmore were purchased as a special survey by the Messrs. Rutledge, who afterwards sold it to Messrs. Lamb, Rogers and Co., of Sydney, by whom it was leased to fanners who have since become purchasers of their respective farms. About six vears since the Government surveved and laid out a township adjoining, now called the new town of Kilmore, all of which is now private property. Both towns united were proclaimed a municipality in July, 1856. The soil of Kilmore and surrounding district is of vol- canic origin. The whole, or nearly so, of the lands between Kilmore and the Saltwater River in one direction, and Kilmore and Kyneton in another, are becoming rapidly settled upon, as are also the lands between Kilmore and the Mclvor gold-fields. Kilmore being situated on the main Sydney-road, is the direct route to the Ovens, Mclvor, and Goulburn gold-fields. Seymour, the proposed head of the navi- gation of the Goulburn River, is distant 23 miles. The Goulburn runs through rich and as yet unalienated land, and then unites with the Murray. The former can, it is supposed, be rendered navigable at a very trifling cost; the Government have promised that it shall be surveyed. Kilmore has a post-office and a daily mail, a court-house and gaol, a police station, a public hospital, a mechanics' institute and news room, telegraph station, road engineers' office, municipal office and flour mills, saw mills, &c., four churches and schools. Kilmore Examiner, published weekly. KYNETON.—A thriving town, about 51 miles from Melbourne, on the Castlemaine-road. A municipality has been formed, and the churches, institutions. &c., are numerous. Kyneton Observer and Kyneton Chronicle published weekly. LINTON S.—Lin tons diggings commenced in the winter of 1855, and were, until lately (when a deep lead was found), shallow sinking. It is in the police district of Carngham, from which place it is distant about six miles, and eight miles from Smythe's Creek. It has a post-office, public house, and one or two stores. There are a few farms in the neighborhood. The nearest sea-port is Geelong via Pitfield; it is distant from Geelong about 64 miles. LOCKWOOD.— An agricultural township and district, situated on Bullock Creek, about 10 miles south-west of Sandhurst, on the main B 3 10 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. roads connecting the various gold-fields. It is the largest agricul- tural district near Bendigo; its creek, in the summer a never- failing succession of large water-holes, is in the winter a running stream. The land is generally fertile, the water always good, and the climate healthy. The township itself is small, and its buildings are of wood. The farmers, however, along the creek for a distance of lO miles, most of whom are freeholders, have neat houses and comfortable farms. The hotels are substantial and commodious. There is one Denominational school in connexion with the Wesleyan Church. MALDON.—An inland town, about 11 miles from Castlemaine and 84 from Melbourne, at the base of Mount Tarrengower. It was proclaimed a municipality on August 6, 1858. The population of the district is about 7,000. From its contiguity to the valley of the Loddon and Muckleford, it is well supplied with vegetables, hay, country produce, &<:. Its principle support is from the reefs around, which are very rich, but of late a large amount of gold has been ob- tained from the alluvial diggings. Of the two principal streets in the town, one is the route to Avoca, and the other to the Eagle Hawk Keef. The Episcopalians had a very neat edifice, used as church and school-house, but a severe storm in December, 1857, destroyed it, and it has not yet been rebuilt. The Wesleyans have a substantial build ing, capable of containing about 200 persons. A Presbyterian Church has been commenced. The view from Mount Tarrengower is one of the most extensive in the colony; from its heights can be seen Mount Macedon, Mount Alexander, Mount Blackwood, Jim Crow Valley of the Loddon, the Bald Hill at Carisbrook, Forest Creek,&c. The town contains a Denominational school, a court house, a post office, seven steam crushing machines, branches of the banks New South Wales and Victoria. Tarrengower Times and 1lfaldon Adver- tiser are published twice a week. The quantity of gold forwarded by escort from Maldon during the months of May, June, July and August, 1858, amounted to 23,290 ozs., in very nearly equal proportions of alluvial and amalgamated gold, showing an average of 1370 ozs. per week. In September, 1858, the yield largely increased. MARYBOROUGH.— The chief town of the trans-Loddon or North-Western gold-fields, in the county of Talbot. Distant from Melbourne 103 miles, on the Castlemaine road, from Castlemaine 30, from Tarrengower 20, from Dunolly 13, from Avoca 16, from Amherst 10, from Ballaarat 45, from Ararat 60. It was surveyed and laid out for a township in 1854, and was proclaimed a municipality in March, 1857. The land in the immediate vicinity of Maryborough is not of a fertile nature, and there is at present very little under cultivation. The air is remarkably dry and healthy; the heat excessive in summer, and water very scarce. The town is improving, and substantial and neat stone buildings are rapidly taking the place of wood and iron. Several public buildings are in course of construction, via., supreme court, police court, post-office, council chambers, survey-office, sub- treasury and gold-office, gaol, and four handsome banks. The Mary- borough and Dunolly Advertiser is published twice a week. The traffic, to ana from Melbourne and all parts of the district, is great, as this is the centre of the district for coaching, postal branches and arrange- ments, and for gold buying and banking business. The population of Maryborough is about 3,000, but there is a large population scattered VICTORIA. 11 on all sides of the township that cannot correctly be enumerated in its population. Two members represent the county of Talbot, of which Maryborough is the north-western metropolis. MURCHISON.—A township on the west bank of the Goulburn, between Seymour and the Murray. It is very prettily situate, and its contiguity (about ten or twelve miles) to the Goulburn or Waranga gold-fields, together with its being in the direct road Irom Bendigo to the Ovens, will no doubt raise it to an im ortant inland township, A large quantity of farm land is bought and cultivated in the neigh- borhood, the produce from which finds a ready sale at the adjoining diggings. Murchison, like Seymour, has its stores, post-office (post days three times a week), police barracks, blacksmiths' shops, ceme- tery, and race-course; it also has two hotels, and a good punt to connect the traffic across the river. OMEO.—Omeo, the most eastern of the Victorian gold-fields, takes its name from Lake Omeo (now dry), from which the principal diggings, situated on Livingstone Creek [(a tributary of the Mitta Mitta River), are distant 12 miles. Although properly belonging to Gipps Land, this gold-field is at present included in the mining district of Beechworth, from which town it is distant 150 miles. It is in the electoral district of Mitta Mitta, Murray. The nucleus of a town, including four hotels and several stores, has been formed on Livingstone Creek, where there are a resident magistrate and war- den, a police-station and post-office. There is no agricultural land in the immediate vicinity, the country being mountainous,but at Tongio,in the valley of the River Tambo, about 12 miles from Livingstone Creek, and at the foot of the dividing range, some good agricultural land is now in course of survey. A series of townships have been laid out along the main post road through Gipps Land from Sale (the princi- pal town of the upper district) to Bruthen, a township within 60 miles of Livingstone Creek, and whence the main road forks northward to Omeo, and eastward to the great grazing district of Maneroo, N.S.W. The distance from Port Albert, Gipps Land, is 175 miles; from Mel- bourne by the post road (via Danaenong, the Moe, and Sale) 305 miles. There are several diggings at various points within a radius of 40 miles from Omeo, both in the direction of Beechworth and in Gipps Land, the latter gold bearing a much higher value than that of Omeo. Hitherto the Omeo gold-field has been but imperfectly prospected, principally owing to its mountainous character and the consequent difficulty of access. A steamboat has now, however, been launched on the river Thompson, for the purpose of running between Sale and Bruthen, and it is anticipated that when it shall have commenced running there will be a considerable access to the population of the district. The population of the Warden's district of Omeo is, males, 413; females, 61; and children of both sexes, 74; total, 548. Omeo is about 3000 feet above the level of the sea, and the climate is remarkably healthy. OSBORNE.—In the "Western Port district, three miles south of Schnapper Point. Was surveyed and laid out for a township in the year 1856. Three miles below Osborne, at the southern extremity of Mount Martha, is a reserve, chosen for a marine residence of the Viceroy. 12 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. PLEASANT CREEK.—This district is 159 miles from Melbourne, on the Ballaarat line. There are branch banks, and six hotels. Pleasant Creek Times, published weekly. Coaches to and from Mel- bourne and Ararat daily. PORTLAND.—The township of Portland is situated in latitude 38° 2C S., and 141° 40' E. longitude, at the head of the bay of the same name, about midway between Melbourne and Adelaide, being distant from the former 234, and from the latter 300 miles. It is the oldest settlement in the colony, having been occupied as a whaling station in 1833, although as a township it does not date earlier than 1842. A person named Dutton, in the employment of Mr. J. Sinclair, of Launceston, in 1832, first settled at Portland; but the influence and enterprise of the family of Henty, which arrived in 1834, has been one of the main causes of raising Portland to its present position. At a distance of twenty miles stands the Julia Percy Island, a mass of distance of about five miles from the town and one from the main land, stand the Lawrence Rocks, also precipitous. These give the entrance to the bay a most picturesque appearance. There are two jetties. The old one is 600 feet long, and has a depth of water of eleven feet; the new one, just completed, was built by Messrs. Baillie; it is 910 feet long, and has a depth of water of seventeen feet. The anchorage is good; and with a breakwater to turn off the force of the sea during storms from the south-east, the harbor would be one of the finest and safest on the coast. The town rises from the bay on a gentle slope. The streets extend east and west, and north and south; many of the former open immediately towards the sea. To the south of the old jetty stand the custom house, the post office, the electric telegraph office, the court house, the gaol and the immigration depot, all stone structures, excepting the last. In the same direction, on a lofty headland, from which it is proposed to construct a breakwater, stands the flagstaff; and opposite, is another lofty headland called the Whalers' Bluff; near these is the cricket ground. The extreme northern extension of the bay proper is shut in. In the neighborhood of the latter portion of the town, to the south, stands the benevolent asylum. There are five edifices in the town devoted to religious purposes; the English Church, situated at the junction of Julia and Percy]streets; the Roman Catholic, Bentinck-street; the Presbyterian, in Tyers-street; the Free Presbyterian,in Palmer-street; the Methodist, in Percy-street; and the Congregational, in Tyers-street. There is also a building in Henty-street used by the Baptists. Two only of these buildings can lay claim to notice on architectural grounds, the English and the Roman Catholic churches; the former is of bluestone and in the modern Gothic style; the latter, not yet completed, is of freestone and in similar style, and promises to be a very handsome building. The cemetery is at the double corner, about a mile and a half north from the town. There are nine inns in the town. The stores are numerous, and some of them large and handsome. The Union Bank and the Bank of Australasia both have elegant stone struc- tures. There are a mechanics' institute and a national school, both plain, substantial stone edifices. The steam flour mill in Glenelg-street is the property of E. Henty. There are town wells which yield a per- petual supply of excellent water. The neighborhood is thickly wooded. VICTORIA. 13 Northward stands the Nine mile Forest, through which a tramway has been commenced. By this it is intended to connect the Grange with the port; £20,000 have already been granted by the Government for the completion of the first eight miles, about one-seventh of the distance. The suburbs, north and south, are divided from the town by a swamp and lagoon. The latter supplies an abundance of fresh water at all seasons, and is rendered exceedingly picturesque by the wild fowl frequenting it, and the boats skimming its surface. Li the vicinity there are several fine residences. The climate is excellent, which, coupled with the pleasantness of its situation, renders it a desirable resort for invalids. Two newspapers are published in the town; the Guardian, three times a week, and the Chronicle twice a week. It returns two members to Parliament. Population 4000. RYE.—In the Western Port district, 18 miles south of Schnapper Point, was surveyed in the year 1856. Lime stone abounds and several kilns are in operation. There is a Church of England school end a post-office. The well-known iWhite Cliff is at the south-western corner of the town reserve. SCHNAPPER POINT.—In the iWestern Port district, 38 miles from Melbourne on the Eastern coast of Port Phillip bay. It was surveyed in 1854. There are three hotels, several stores, Church of England schools, post-office, police station, &c., and a stone pier, which runs into twenty-two feet water, and completely shuts in and shelters the harbor. Schnapper Point is a most desirable place for marine residences. The scenery is picturesque; and the view from the top of Mount Martha, about six miles distant, which embraces the whole of Port Phillip Bay, and part of Bass's Straits, Arthur's Seat, the Plenty Ranges, Mount Macedon, Mount Buninyong, Station Peak, Point Nepean on both sides, and the coast line as far as Cape Otway, is perhaps unrivalled in this colony. SEYMOUR.—Seymour is the principal township on the Goulburn, and is on the main line of road from Melbourne to Beechworth. It is one of the Murray Boroughs, and in conjunction with them returns one member to the Legislative Assembly; is situate in the Eastern Province, an extensive district which sends five representatives to the Upper House. The river divides the township into two parts; the population is small, principally engaged in agricultural pursuits. The land is generally good, though swampy in winter, being occasionally smith's shops, police station, a compact substantial steam flour-mill, a public cemetery, a race-course, and two good hotels, one on each side of the river. There are two punts for the convenience of the public—the government punt is about a mile above Seymour; the other, private property, plies close to the township: they are the best managed punts on the Goulburn, are very commodious and capable of conveying, with perfect safety, the heaviest laden drays across the river, the average breadth of which, under ordinary circumstances, is about 250 feet, but frequently much broader in the winter season. The river can readily be made navigable to a point sorne distance above Seymour; but it appears probable that Seymour or some place near it will be the head of the navigation, as it can more readily be connected with Melbourne by means of the tramway already con- subject to floods. There stores, post-office, black- 14 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. structed to Yan Yean, than can other parts of the river. The opening up of the Goulburn will bring Melbourne into communication with the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Darling, Edward, and a vast extent of country, the produce of which is now sent down the Murray to South Australasia. There is a daily post from Melbourne, the Beechworth mail passing, under present arrangements, every evening about six p.m. STEIGLITZ.—An inland township, situated about 25 miles north of Geelong, on the eastern side of the Moorabool River, and about three miles from that river on a small creek. The land on which the township is built belongs to the Crown. The quartz-reefs, which are extensively worked, pass through the township from north to south, at the rear of a street called Regent-street. The land in the vicinity is barren and dry, and good water is scarce in summer. The air is salu- brious and invigorating. Steiglitz contains three schools, an Episco- palian Denominational school, a Wesleyan, one at New Chum Reef, chiefly supported by Presbyterians,also a post-office and a court-house. The population on the gold-field itself is about 800, in the district about 1,300. TARADALE.—An inland township, distant from Melbourne 62 miles, from Castlemaine 10 miles. The land around Taradale is of a fine agricultural description, about 2000 acres are under cultivation; good water abounds; the air is most invigorating. There are twelve streets in the township, but the buildings at present are confined to the main road. There are a court-house and police quarters, Episco- palian and Roman Catholic chapels, and a district survey office. Taradale is rapidly rising in importance; several rich quartz- reefs have been discovered, and one is now being worked by the Phcenix Gold Mining Company, the yield from which is very large. The other reefs have also yielded large quantities of gold. A viaduct, on the Melbourne and Murray River line, is to be erected at Taradale. Population about 1,430. WANGARATTA.—An inland town, situate on the Ovens River, 144 miles from Melbourne, on the Sydney Road. It is the centre of a large agricultural and pastoral district. The town contains about 600 inhabitants, and is connected by a handsome single arch bridge, of timber, thrown over the Ovens River, a fine river which runs through the town, and is believed to be navigable as far as Wangaratta. The principal buildings are an English church, a Roman Catholic church, a large steam flour mill, a National school, and a telegraph station. There are six hotels. A new court house is about to be erected, also a bridge over the Ring River at iWangaratta, to connect the Oxley Plains with the town. It is one of the Murray Boroughs, returning one member to the Assembly. The land in the vicinity of Wangaratta is for the most part very rich, and well adapted for the growth of cereals, of which large quantities are produced at Tarrawingee, bor- dering on the town. The vine flourishes luxuriantly, as do most fruit trees, especially peaches and other stone fruit. The average price of land fit for cultivation is about 27s. 6d. per acre. WARRNAMBOOIi.—A seaport town, and capital of the counties of Villiers and Heytesbury, is situated on an eminence rising from Lady VICTORIA. 15 Bay, in latitude 38° 24' 5S S., and longtitude 142° 32' E.; bounded by the River Hopkins on the east, and the River Merri on the west. It was surveyed and laid out for a township, in August, 1847, and from its rapid progress was proclaimed a municipality on the 6th December, 1855. Warrnambool is the nearest port to Melbourne on the western coast, being 170 miles from the metropolis. Its bay affords good anchorage and shelter for vessels in all weather. There are excellent moorings laid down, and a new ietty has just been completed, from which there is a tramway into the town a distance of about three- quarters of a mile. The land in the vicinity of Warrnambool is alluvial and of the most fertile description. There are at present 13,450 acres under cultivation. The air is most salubrious and invigorating, and good water abounds. The town is composed of fourteen streets, a market square, with several public buildings. The Episcopalian church is a neat specimen of modern architecture, as are also the Catholic, Wesleyan, and Presbyterian churches, each having schools in connexion with them. The town contains National ana Denominational schools, a court house, gaol, post-office, council chambers, telegraph station, custom house, immigration depdt, and benevolent asylum; one bonded store, four steam flour mills, and about twenty five stores. There are also two banks, five hotels, and a mechanics' institute. The Warrnam- bool Examiner newspaper is published twice a week. The distance from the Great Western gold-fields is about 70 miles, and a good macadamised road is being made. The traffic already between them and Warrnambool is very great, as they afford an excellent outlet for the produce of the district. The population at the last census was— males, 801; females, 738: total, 1,539. One member represents the town, and two the counties, in Parliament. WILLIAMSTOWN is situated on a peninsula, forming the southern side of Hobson's Bay, and affording to the shipping protection from the prevailing south-westerly winds. The works now in progress, consisting of two stone piers and two wooden wharves, one of which, forming the terminus of the Geelong and Melbourne railway, cannot fail to attract the eye of a stranger, combining as it does strength, security, and good workmanship, being 1,200 feet in length, by 58 feet in breadth, will bear favorable comparison with constructions of a similar character in the mother country; they are capable of securely berthing ships as large as the Great Britain, giving ample accommoda- tion for discharging cargo. The old wharf is still used for passengers landing from steamboats, &c., and for goods. The distance from Mel- bourne by the railway, now nearly completed, is nine miles, but in a direct line across the Bay it is only four miles. The latter, at present, is the usual mode of access to the metropolis, and is accomplished by means of the Comet steamer to Sandridge,and thence by railway to Melbourne, within a period of thirty minutes/ and at the rate of 1s. 6d. per pas- senger. It is anticipated, however, that before the close of the year, the bridge now being erected across the Saltwater River will be finished and the line completed direct from Williamstown to Mel- bourne, thus saving time and avoiding the inconvenience of the steam- boat. Scarcely seven years ago, Williamstown was little more than a depot for Government officers, whose avocations rendered it their necessary place of abode, and then its houses could be counted from the ships in the Bay; but now there are numerous stores, 16 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. spacious hotels, churches and chapels, villas, and town residences. The town has now its resident magistrate, with a staff of well disci- plined police, its municipal council, &c. Court houses have recently been erected of bluestone, of which many quarries exist in this locality. The other public buildings of note consist of a watch-house, two branch banks, harbor, pilot, and immigration offices; custom house, or rather cottage, and post-office, the latter being only a rented bunding. The greater number of these offices are situated in or near Thompson- street, the principal thoroughfare of the town, at the head of which is erected a handsome stone bridge, forming a communication across the railway to the southern part of the town. From this bridge, outlines of Mount Macedon, the Dandenong Ranges, with the adjacent country can be seen; while to seaward Mount Eliza, Arthur's Seat, Indented Head, and Station Peak, complete the circle whose shores mark the boundaries of Port Phillip Bay. Melbourne, Brighton, St. Kilda, and Sandridge, as well as the winding Yarra Yarra, may be viewed from several parts of Williamstown. There is a well-built fort at Gellibrand's Point, capable of mounting twelve of the heaviest description of guns. Williamstown claims the honor of having had the first electric telegraph communication established in Australia, which was opened to Melbourne in 1854. The telegraph office is a neat substantial stone building, surmounted by a square tower, on which stands the time ball staff. AdjoiningS and in connexion with this office, stands the observatory, a plain unpre- tending wooden building, well stocked with astronomical clocks, transit and other instruments. Mean time is noted by the drop of the time ball at noon, and also by the eclipse at two minutes to eight o'clock, and re-appearance of the light upon Gellibrand's Point at eight precisely every night. This latter plan, as a mode of furnishing the mean time to ships, was first introduced here, and is by nautical men, from its simplicity and accuracy, considered worthy of imitation in other ports. Until very lately all vessels over six or seven hundred tons when damaged under water either had to resort to the expensive and precarious mode of heaving down first one side and then the other, or had to leave the port and proceed to Sydney or India for the purpose of having these repairs effected. This state of things, however, is now altered, as the Government patent slip, erected at an expense of £75,000, is able to haul up all descriptions of vessels that frequent this port, except, perhaps, the very largest, and for these it is contemplated to construct a large graving dock. There is also another smaller patent slip by private enterprise in course of erection, calculated to haul up vessels of a thousand tons and under. The only floating dock in iVictoria is moored off Williamstown, and is capable of taking in vessels of seven hundred tons. These maritime woiks, where the sound of the shipwright's mallet is ever heard, give to Williamstown the thorough characteristics of a seaport. The Govern- ment marine yard is situated between Ann-street wharf and the old pier. It covers two acres of ground, substantially fenced in with corrugated iron, within which are several commodious workshops for boat-builders, blacksmiths, and lamp-makers; also sheds where all boats, buoys, and beacons required for the Government service throughout the colony are built and repaired. Repairs to the lighting apparatus of the various lighthouses and lightships throughout the colony are effected there, and all marine stores are deposited by the VICTORIA. 17 different contractors, tested, assorted, and shipped from hence as required, to the various harbors, lighthouses, and marine stations throughout Victoria. Since the death of Mr. John Price, who was murdered on 26th March, 1856, by the prisoners, convict labor has been dispensed with, and the convicts are stationed in hulks on the north side of Hobson's Bay. The places of public worship consist of two substantial stone edifices belonging to the Wesleyans and Roman Catholics, two iron buildings, the property of the Episcopalians and Congregationalists, and a wooden building, temporarily used by the Presbyterians. The Episcopalians and Roman Catholics have erected ministers' residences contiguous to their respective churches, and the Presbyterians have built a stone manse on the Government site, where they contemplate erecting a substantial church. There are Denomi- national day schools attached to the Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and Episcopalian churches. A National school has recently been opened, and there are various private schools for the vouth of both sexes. The Bank of Australasia and English and Scottish Bank, and four insur- ance companies, have branch offices in the town. The only place of public amusement is the Mechanics' Institution, where lectures, con- certs, and theatrical representations by amateurs take place. A Ladies' Benevolent Society, supported by voluntary subscriptions and grants from Government, has, for the last three years, liberally admi- nistered help to the destitute sick. Williamstown was proclaimed a municipality in April, 1856, and returns one member to the Legisla- tive Assembly, and is now represented by Captain Charles James Perry. The richness of its soil renders all gardening operations pecu- liarly productive, and experience has shewn it to be a most healthy locality. The upper stratum of the whole locality is generally com- posed of either clay, garden earth, black mould, or shelly sand. At present but a limited extent of land is under cultivation, chiefly as market gardens, but there are also one or two farms. The town covers an area of four square miles, consisting of three divisions— Williamstown Proper, South Williamstown, and New Town or North Williamstown; and generally speaking the town is well laid out, and the streets broad. Sixteen acres of land have already been fenced in for public gardens, and a committee are making arrangements for the planting and laying out of the grounds. Some acres for a cemetery have also recently been fenced in, at a convenient central distance from the three branches of the town. Most of the inhabitants, includ- ing many of the working classes, live on their own freeholds, a fact which says much for the respectability and advancement of Williams- town. WOOLSHED.—A division of the mining district of Beechworth, situate about 170 miles from Melbourne, and having for its boundaries the rivers Murray and Ovens, Indigo and Hodgson's Creek, includes the auriferous creek known as Reid's Creek, Woolshed, Sebastopol, El Dorado, Mooragee, and Sheep Station. Gold has been also disco- vered on the Indigo Creek, and several quartz-reefs, which promise to prove remunerative, have been recently discovered in that locality. The workings in this division consist of creek bed, bank and surface or hill workings. The first have been once worked, and are now being a second time occupied by the miners, who receive grants of extensive claims, and are engaged with the aid of machinery, in washing the 18 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. alluvial deposits from the surface to the bed rock. The hill workings are at present but partially developed from the insufficient supply of water for ground sluicing, a want which will be removed on the plans of the Ovens Gold-fields Water Company being carried out. Reid's Creek was first worked in the years 1852-3, and at that time supported a population of some 8,000 persons. The Woolshed Creek was taken up by the miners in 1854, who then after many reverses, finally suc- ceeded in combating, by the aid of water wheels and steam engines, the heavy underground drainage of water. The present popula- tion engaged in mining pursuits is estimated at 3,420, including 400 Chinese. Land of fertile description has been sold at Mooragee, 5 miles, Tarawagee, 8 miles, Indigo Creek, 10 miles, and Barnawartha, 14 miles from the Woolshed. Wheat of excellent quality is grown, and oaten hay for horse forage. Townships are laid out at Chiltern, Black Dog, and Barnawartha. Wahgunyah, a port on the River Murray, at which the Adelaide steamers stop, has large stores and steam flour mill, and is distant 25 miles from Woolshed. No land has yet been sold on the Woolshed, owing to its generally auriferous character. A warden, police magistrate and Chinese protector are sta- tioned at Upper Woolshed, distance 6 miles from Beechworth, and Courts of Petty Sessions are daily held in a neat court house. The Court of Mines is held once a month. There are denominational schools in connexion with the Church of England and Roman Catholic Church, at Upper Woolshed and Reid's Creek. YACKANDANDAH.—A township, between Beechworth and the Muiray River, on the most direct route to the Snowy Creek, Mitta Mitta, and Omeo, from which latter place it is distant about 130 miles. The Yackandandah Creek, with the Kiewa or Little River, Sandy Creek and other tributaries of the Murray, form one of the divisions of the mining district of Beechworth. The town was surveyed and sold on February, 1857, and now contains several substantial stone and brick buildings. There are twelve or fourteen general stores, a court house, Denominational school-house, with Roman Catholic and Presbyterian places of worship, and two banks. The population is principally engaged in mining pursuits, but the land in the vicinity is considered suitable for agriculture, and adapted to the Sawth of the vine. Yackandandah is about 177 miles distant from elbourne, 16 from Beechworth, and 22 from Albury on the River Murray. POST TOWNS IN VICTORIA. The following is a complete list of the Post Towns in Victoria, including the preceding districts, the figures prefixed denoting the number of miles distant from Melbourne :— 108 Alberton Alplungton 129 Amherst 271 Apsley 134 Ararat 40 Avenel 117 Avoca 34 Bacchus Marsh 46 Ballan 78 Ballaarat 180 Balmoral 80 Bariin^hup 67 Batesford 166 Beechworth 186 Belfast 49 Bellarine 184 Belvior 119 Benalla 30 Berwick 190 Branxholme 7 Brighton 45 Broadford 10 Broadmeadows 80 Brown Hills VICTORIA. 19 16 Bulla 2| Brunswick 175 Buckland 89 Buninyong 89 Burrrambeet 126 Campaspe 9 Campbellfleld 65 Campbell's Creek 66 Camperdown 167 Caramut 99 Carisbrook 46 Carlsrhue 94 Carngham 71 Castlemaine 215 Casterton 193 Cavendish 72 Ceres 12 Cheltenham 67 Chewton 83 Clarendon 115 Clunes 127 Cochranes 206 Colac 180 Coleraine 1 Collingwood 26 Cranbourne 94 Cressy 106 Creswick's Creek 131 Crowlands 19 Dandenong 103 Daylesford 270 Digby 20 Donnybrook 60 Dromanna 35 Duck Ponds 46 Duneed 150 Dunkeld 140 Durham Ox 101 Eagle Hawk 130 Ecbuca 130 Elephant Bridge 64 Elphinstone 12 Eltham 1 Emerald Hill 14 Epping 7 Essendon 92 Euroa Eversley 2 Flemington 4 Footscray 29 Frankston 76 Fryerstown 24 Gap 44 Geelong 31 Gisborne 107 Glenlyon 162 Glenorchy 96 Gnarwarre 116 Gold borough 55 Gordon's Greensborough 130 Gt. Western Dig- gings (Ararat) 184 Hamilton 76 Harcourt 231 Harrow 3J Hawthorne 66 Heathcote 8 Heidelberg (see Warringal) 98 Hepburn 160 Hexham 219 Heywood 195 Horsham 71 Inverleigh 7 Janefield 119 Jones's Creek Kangaroo Flat 19 Kangaroo Ground 10 Keilor 3 Kensington 165 Kerang (Lower Loddon) 3 Kew 36 Kilmore 140 Kingower Koroit 51 Kyneton 95 Lake Learmonth 37 Lancefleld 62 Lethbridge 105 Lexton 90 Lin tona 28 Little River 89 Lockwood 85 Longwood 157 Lucknow 130 Mclntyre's Maidstone 84 Maldon 57 Malmshury 85 Mansfield 103 Maryborough 24 Melton 71 Meredith 275 Merino 75 Merton 89 Miner's Rest Mount Bolton 54 Mt. Blackwood 53 Mt. Egerton 76 Muckleford 106 Murchison 68 Myrtle Creek 141 Navarre 136 Newbridge 80 Newstead 171 Nine-Mile Creek (Ovens) 4 Northcote 9J Oakleigh 225 Omeo 195 Penshurst 36 Peutland Hills 5k Pentridere Peter's Diggings 94 Pitfleld 156 Pleasant Creek 112 Port Albert 234 Portland 3 Prahran 9 Preston 69 Queenscliff 110 Raglan 2 Richmond 81 Rokewood 98 Rushworth 120 Sale 97 Sandhurst 21 Sandridge 121 Sandy Creek 3J St. Kilda 149 St. Arnaud 23 St. Andrew's 77 Sebustopol (Bal.) 120 Serpentine Creek 38 Seymour 67 Shelford 157 Shepparton 107 Skipton 86 Smythe's Creek 38 Schnapper Point 14 Somerton 77 Steiglitz 129 Stratford 65 Strathloddon 125 Streatham 26 Sunbury 210 Swan Hill 2 South Yarra 62 Tarradale • 111 Tarraville 135 Tarrawingee 3 Toorak 46 Tootgarook 170 Wahgunyah 30 Wallan Wallan 141 Wangaratta 170 Warrnambool 14 Warrandyte 8 Warringal 146 Wedderburn 23 Wittlesea 110 Whipstiek 99 White Hills 95 Whroo 143 Wickliffe 4 Williamstown 64 Winch elsea 42 Woodend Woodstock 166 Woodford 170 Woolshed Creek 18 Wyndham 177 Yackandandah Yea 178 Yowen Hill 20 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. ACTS OF COUNCIL AND OF PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA Passed up to the end of Second Session, 1867—8. Index to general subjects of all Acts passed by the Legislature of Victoria since the establishment of the Colony. Those Acts which have been since repealed are marked R; those which have expired by effluxion of time without being continued by subsequent enactments are marked E. Abbatoirs, establishment of, in Mel- bourne. 18 Vie. No. 18. Accounts, Public. Vide Audit. Action at Law. Vide Common Law Practice. Acts of Council and of Parliament. Interpretation of. 15 Vic. No. 1. R. Do. 21 Vic. No. 22. Correction of errors in certain. 21 Vic. No. 39. Continuation of expiring laws. 21 Vic. No. 16. Administration of Justice. Establishment, &c., of Supreme Court. 15 Vic. No. 10; 16 Vic. No. 6 ; 19 Vic. No. 13. Establishment, &c., of Courts of General Sessions. 15 Vic. No. 13, B.; 16 Vic. No. 3. Criminal justice. 16 Vic. No. 7; 17 Vic. No. 2. Establishment of County Courts. 16 Vic. No. 11, R.; 17 Vic. No. 21, R.; 21 Vic. No. 29. Adulteration of Bread, &e. Vide Bread. Appropriation Acts. For the service of the year 1852. 16 Vie. No. 8. Do. 1853. 16 Vic. No. 30. 17 Vic. No. 7. 18 Vic. No. 35; 19 Vic. Do. 1854. Do. 1855. No. 18. Do. 1856. Do. 1857. Do. 1858. 19 Vic. No. 17. 21 Vic. No. 44. 21 Vic. No. 46. Assembly, Legislative. Vide Con- stitution. Assessment on Stock. Vide Stock. Attorney, Powers of. Vide Powers of Attorney. Auctioneers. License of, and duty on property sold by. 16 Vic. No. 27. R. Regulation of sales by. 18 Vic. No. Reduction of license fee payable by. 21 Vic. No. 9. Audit of Public Accounts. 21 Vic. No. 24. Bankers' Drafts or Cheques. Amending law as to crossed cheques. 21 Vic. No. 6. Banks, Savings'. Vd. Savings' Bnk. Bills of Exchange. Facilitating remedies on. 19 Vic. No. 2. Bills of Lading. Amending law as to. 21 Vic. No. 6. Also Vide Securities. Births. Vide Registration. Boards of Inquiry. Vide Commis- sions. Bond. Vide Securities. Bonding Certificate. Vide Securi- ties. Bread, Meal, and Flour, sale and adulteration of. 17 Vic. No. 10. Butchers. Vide Abbatoirs. Cattle Stealing, prevention of. 16 Vic. No. 20. Cemeteries, establishment and ma- nagement of. 17 Vic. No. 12. Census. Vide Population. Certificate, Bonding. Vide Securi- ties. Cheques. Vide Bankers. Chinese. Vide Immigration. Church of England, regulation of affairs of. 18 Vic. No. 45. Church of Scotland. Vide Synod. Claims against the Crown, enforce- ment of. 21 Vic. No. 49. Coin. Vide Gold. Commissions and Boards of Inquiry, prosecution of inquiries by. 18 Vic No. 10. Common Law Practice Act. 19 Vic. No. 19. Vide also 21 Vic. No. 8. and 21 Vic. No. 19, by which several sections are repealed. Companies, Incorporated. Vide In- corporated Companies. VICTORIA. 21 Companies, Mining. Vide Mining Companies. Confectioners' Licenses. Vide Li- Constables, Special, amendment of law as to. 16 Vic. No. 16. Constitution, establishment of, for colony of Victoria. Colonial Act of 17 Vic. authorised, with certain alterations by 18 and 19 Vic. c. 55. Electoral Acts— Increase of members of Legislative Council. 16 Vic. No. 29, R. ; 18 Vic. No. 34, S. Regulation of proceedings at elec- tions. 19 Vic. No. 11. Provision for election of members of Legislative Council and Le- gislative Assembly. 19 Vic. No. 12. Registration of voters. 21 Vic. No. 33. Franchise—extension of. 17 Vic. No. 32; 21 Vic. No. 33. Privileges, immunities, and powers of Legislative Council and Legis- lative Assembly, definition of. 20 Vic. No. 1. Property Qualification for mem- bers of Legislative Assembly, abolition of. 21 Vic. No. 12. Corporation, Melbourne. Suspending police rate for one year. 15 Vic. No. 2, E. Qualification of citizenship, 16 Vic. No. 18. Seal. 16 Vic. No. 19. Cleansing and improvement. 16 Vic. No. 38. Aldermen of additional wards. 17 Vic. No. 3. Loan of £ 500,000. 17 Vic. No. 13; 18 Vic. No. 21. Fitzroy Ward improvements. 17 Vic. No. 31. Collection of citizen lists. 18 Vic. No. 2. Establishment of abbatoirs. 18 Vic. No. 18. Exchange of land for markets. 21 Vic. No. 11. Corporation, Geelong. Suspending police late for one year. 15 Vic. No. 2. E. Loan of £200,000. 17 Vie. No. 23; 18 Vic. No. 22. Boundaries restriction. 21 Vic. No. 54. Costs, taxation of, in criminal cases. 16 Vic. No. 5. Council, Acts of. Vide Acts. Council, Legislative. Vide Con- stitution. County Courts, establishment, &c , of, 16 Vic. No. 11, R,; 17 Vic. No. 21, R. ; 21 Vic. No. 29. Creditors, remedies of, against debtors from neighboring colonies, 21 Vic. No. 48. Criminal J ustice, administration of, 16 Vic. No. 3; 16 Vic. No. 5 ; 16 Vic. No. 7; 16 Vic. No. 14, sec- tions vi., vii., viii. repealed by 21 Vic. No. 29; 17 Vic. No. 2. Criminals. Execution of. 18 Vic. No. 44. Influx of, prevention. 16 Vic. No. 13, E. ; 18 Vic. No. 3; 19 Vic. No. 3; 21 Vic. No. 16. Crown, claims against. Vide Claims. Customs, general regulation of, 16 Vic. No. 23, R. ; 17 Vic. No. 17, R.; 18 Vic. No. 29, R.: 21 Vic. No. 13. Customs Duties levied on— Coffee, spirits, tea, tobacco, cigars, sLuff, and wine. 16 Vic. No. 2, R. Ale, porter, spruce and other beer, cider and perry, cigars and snuff, coffee, spirits, tea, tobacco, and wine. 17 Vic. No. 6, R. Ale, porter, spruce and other beer, cider, perry, cigars, coffee, chi- cory, molasses, treacle, spirits, sugar candy, tea, tobacco, snuff, and wine. 18 Vic. No. 9. Gold exported. 18 Vic. No. 27. Opium. 21 Vic. No. 7. Deaths. Vide Registration. Debentures. Vide Loan Acts. Debtors from neighboring colonies, remedies to creditors against. 21 Vic. No. 48. Debts and Demands, more easy re- covery of certain. 21 Vic. No. 29. Defamation. Vide Libel. Distress. To regulate proceedings in. 15 Vic. No. 4. Disturbances of the public peace, prevention of. 18 Vic. No. 28. Dock Warrant. Vide Securities. Drafts. Vide Bankers. Drainage. Vide Sewerage. Duties. Vide Customs. Education. Incorporation of Board of National Education. 15 Vic. No. 7. Elective Franchise. Vide Consti- tution. Electoral Acts. Vide Constitu- tion. Electric Telegraphs, establishment of. 17 Vic. No. 22. Errors in Acts. Vide Acts. Estates. Vide Settled Estates. Evidence, law of. 16 Vic. No. 9, R.; 17 Vic. No. 11, R.; 21 Vic. No. 8. 22 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Execution of Criminals. Vide Cri- minals. Expiring Laws. Vide Acts. Export Duty. Vide Gold Export Duty. Fees, abolition of taking for own use bypublicofficers. 15 Vic. No. 6. Felons. Vide Criminals, Of- fenders. Fermented Liquors. Vide Spiritu- ous Liquors. Fire, careless use of. 17 Vic. No. 8, R; 19 Vic. No. 9, R; 21 Vic. No. 55 Fitzroy Ward Impovements. Vide Corporation. Flour. Vide Bread. Franchise. Vide Constitution. Friendly Societies, laws relating to. 18 Vic. No. 41 ; 21 Vict. No. 53. Reduction of fees on registering. 21 Vic. No. 10. Gambling, restriction of. 15 Vic. No. 12, R.; 16 Vic. No. 22. Qaols. Vide Offenders. Oeelono Corporation. Vide Cor- poration. General Sessions. Vide Sessions. Gold Coin. Sydney sovereigns le- galised. 21 Vic. No. 15. Gold Export Duty. Vide Customs Duties. Gold Fields, management of. 15 Vic. No. 15, R.; 17 Vic. No. 1, R.; 17 Vic. No. 4, R.; 18 Vic. No. 37, R. ; 21 Vic. No. 32. Governor of Victoria, salary of. 16 Vic. No. 41, R.; 18 Vic. No. 43; 18 and 19 Vic. c. 55. Gunpowder. Exportation of. 15 Vic. No. 3, E. Importation, carriage, and custody of. 21 Vic. No. 21. Harbors. Vide Ports and Harbors. Health Act, Public. 18 Vic. No. 13. Immigration. Power to Immigration Board to make inquiries relative to immi- grant ships. 16 Vic. No. 4. Provision for certain immigrants (Chinese). 18 Vic. No. 39. Regulations as to Chinese popula- tion. 21 Vic. No. 41. Imported Stock. Fide Registration. Incorporated Companies, proceed- ings by and against. 18 Vic. No. 20. Indemnity. Vide Martial Law. Influx of Criminals. Vide Cri- minals. Inquiries by Boards and Commis- sions. Vide Commissions. Insolvent Estates. Alteration of law relating to Chief Commissioner. 18 Vic. No. 11. Interpretation of Legislative enact- ments. Vide Acts of Council. Jurors and Juries, laws relative to. 16 Vic. No. 15, R.; 21 Vic. No. 19! 21 Vic. No. 39. Justice, administration of. Vide Administration of Justice and Criminal Justice. Justices of Peace, jurisdiction of. 16 Vic. No. 3; 18 Vic. No. 15. Land and Works, to establish a board of. 21 Vic. No. 31; 21 Vic. No. 58. Landlord and Tenant. Vide Dis- tress. Larceny, summary jurisdiction in cases of. 17 Vic. No. 2. Legislative Council and Legisla- tive Assembly. Vide Constitu- tion. Libel, Defamatory Words and. 19 Vic. No. 4. Licenses, Auctioneers'. Vide Auc- tioneers. Licenses, Confectioners', fee pay- able for. 21 Vic. No. 9. Licenses, Packet, fee payable for, 21 Vic. No. 9. Licenses, Publicans'. Law relating to. 15 Vic. No. 14, R. ; 16 Vic. No. 35; 17 Vic. No. 24 ; 18 Vic. No. 17; 18 Vic. No. 83; 20 Vic. No. 4; 21 Vie No. 16. Fee payable for. 21 Vic. No. 9. Licenses, Refreshment, fee payable for. 21 Vic. No. 9. Limited Liability. Vide Partner- ships. Liquors, fermented and spirituous, sale of. 20 Vic. No. 4. Vide also Licenses, Publicans'. Loan Acts. Melbourne Corporation, £500,000. 17 Vic. No. 13 ; 18 Vic. No. 21. Geelong Corporation, £200,000. 17 Vic. No. 23; 18 Vic. No. 22. Public works. 18 Vic. No. 26, R.; 18 Vic. No. 40. Railways. 21 Vic. No. 36. Lodging Houses, well ordering of. 18 Vic. No. 8. Luggage, Passengers'. Vide Pas- sengers. Lunatics, care of. 16 Vic. No. 8. Manaoement of Towns. 18 Vic. No. 14. Markets, Melbourne, new horse and cattle. 21 Vict. No. 11. Marriages. Vide Registration. Martial Law, Indemnity Act. 18 Vic. No. 12. Masters and Servants, Acts relating to. 16 Vic. No. 6; 18 Vic. No. 16; 21 Vio. No. 16. VICTORIA. 23 Meal. Vide Bread. Medical Practitioners, legally qua- lified. 17 Vic. No. 14. Melbourne Corporation. Tide Cor- poration. Melbourne, Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway. Vide Railway. Mercantile Securities. Vide Se- curities. Mines, Courts of, establishment of. 21 Vic. No. 32. Mining on Crown Lands. Vide Gold Fields. Mininq Associations formation of. 21 Vic. No. 56. Minim; Companies, regulation of, 18 Vic. No. 42; 21 Vic. No. 66, sec. 61 et seq. Mortgagees, conveyance and trans- fer of property vested in. 19 Vic. No. 20. Municipal Institutions, establish- ment of. 18 Vic. No. 15; 18 Vic. No. 32; 19 Vic. No. 16. National Education. Vide Educa- tion. Navigation, consolidation of laws relating to. 16 Vic. No. 25. Oaths of Office, to assimilate and simplify. 21 Vic. No. 45. Obscene Language, restraint of. 15 Vic. No. 12, R.; 16 Vic. No. 22. Offences, prevention of. 16 Vic. No. 14; sees. 6, 7, and 8 repealed by 21 Vic. No. 29. Offenders, control and disposal of. 16 Vic. No. 32; 17 Vic. No. 26. Offenders illegally at large. Vide Criminals, Influx of. Officers, Public. Vide Fees. Opium. Vide Customs Duties. Packet Licenses. Vide Licenses. Parliament. Vide Constitution. Parliament, Acts of. Vide Acts. Partnerships with limited liability legalised. 17 Vic. No. 5. Party Processions, prevention of. 19 Vic. No. 1 ; 21 Vic. No. 16. Passengers. Conveyance of, to Victoria. 10 Vic. No. 17, R.; 18 Vic. No. 5; 19 Vic. No. 7. Delivery of luggage and tools of. 18 Vic. No. 25. Patents, regulation of. 17 Vic. No. 15, R ; 18 Vic. No. 1; 20 Vic. No. 3. Pensions, confirmation of certain. 21 Vic. No. 20. Pilotage, rates of. 15 Vic. No. 5, R.; 16 Vic. No. 12, R. as to pilot- age rates ; 17 Vic. No. 28. Pleading, Practice, &e,, at Law. Vide Common Law Practice. Police. Regulation of police force. 16 Vic. No. 24; 16 Vic. No. 36, R. ; 17 Vic. No. 25. Town and Country Police Act. 18 Vic. No. 14. Suspension of police rate. Vide Corporation. Police, Water, law relating to. 16 Vic. No. 33. Population, taking account of. 17 Vic. No. 9 ; 20 Vic. No. 2. Ports and Harbors, amendment ai d consolidation of law» as to. 15 Vic. No. 5, R.; 16 Vic. No. 12; 17 Vic No. 28. Post Office, laws relating to. 15 Vic. No. 9, R.; 17 Vic. No. 30; 18 Vic. No. 31; 10 Vic. No. 10; 21 Vic. No. 60. Founds. Law relating to impound- ing. 16 Vic. No. 10., R.; 18 Vic. No. 30. Powers of Attorney, validity of, In certain cases. 21 Vic. No. 28. Privileges of Parliament. Vide Constitution. Processions. Vide Party Proces- sions. Property Qualification, abolition of, for members of Legislative As- sembly. 21 Vic. No. 12. Publicans9 Licenses. Vide Licenses. Public Disturbances. Vide Dis- turbances. Public Officers. Vide Fees. Public Moneys, payment of, into consolidated revenue. 21 Vic. No. 17. Public Works, Board of. Vide Land and Works. Public Works, loan for. 18 Vic. No. 26. R. ; 18 Vic. No. 40. Public Worship. Vide Worship, Public. Qualification. Vide Property Qua- lification. Railways. Purchase by Government of Mel- bourne, Mount Alexander, and Murray River Railway. 19 Vic. No. 15. Construction of main trunk lines from Melbourne to River Mur- ray and Geelong to Ballaarat. 21 Vict. No. 35; 21 Vic. No. 50. Auihority to raise money for. 21 Vic. No. 36. Conitruction of, generally. 21 Vict. No. 38. Snpervi-ion of. 21 Vic. No. 40. Refreshment Licenses. Vide Li- 24 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Registration. Births, deaths, and marriages. 16 Vie. No. 26. Imported stock. 19 Vic. No. 21. Parliamentary voters. 21 Vic. No. 83. .Revenue, appropriation of. Vide Appropriation. Roads, making and improving. 16 Vic. No. 40; 17 Vic. No. 29; 21 Vic. No. 62. Savings' Banks. Consolidation of laws as to. 16 Vic. No. 37. Amendment of law as to Savings' Bank of Port Phillip. 15 Vic. No. 11, R. Scab in Sheep, prevention of. 16 Vic. No. 21, R.; 18 Vic. No. 38. Seal op the Colony, adoption of. 16 Vic. No. 1. Seamen. Laws relating to. 16 Vic. No. 33. Control of foreign seamen. 18 Vic. No. 6. Securities and Instruments. Transfer of. 18 Vic. No. 24, R. Facilitating remedies on. 19 Vic. No. 2. Servants. Vide Masters and Ser- vants. Sessions, General. Appointment of chairman and Crown prosecutor. 15 Vic. No. 13, R. Administration of justice in. 16 Vic. No. 3. Settled Estates, leases and sales of. 21 Vic. No. 25. Sewerage, Drainage, and Water Supply, Melbourne, establishment of Board of Commissioners for. 16 Vic. No. 39 ; 21 Vic. No. 59. Sheep, scab in. Vide Scab. Sheriff. Appointment of. 19 Vic. No. 13. Appointment of deputies. 16 Vic. No. 81. Shipping. Consolidation of laws as to. 16 Vic. No. 12 ; 17 Vic. No. 28. Abolition of certain shipping dues. 16 Vic. No. 33. Tonnage duty on. 17 Vic. No. 18. Small-Pox. Vide Vaccination. Societies, Friendly. Vide Friendly Societies. Sovereigns, Sydney. Fide Gold Coin. Special Constables. Vide Consta- bles. Spirituous Liquors, sale of fer- mented and. 17 Vic. No. 24; 20 Vic. No. 4. Vide also Licenses, Publicans'. Stats-Aid to Religion. Vide Wor- ship, Public. Steam Navigation. Vide Naviga- tion. Stock. Assessment on. 17 Vic. No. 20, R.; 19 Vic . No. 5, R.; 21 Vic. No. 16, R. as to this subject; 21 Vic. No. 47. Mortgages of. 17 Vic. No. 16; 21 Vic. No. 16. Registration of. 19 Vic. No. 21. Supreme Court, establishment, &c., of. 15 Vic. No. 10; 16 Vic. No. 5; 19 Vic. No. 13. Synod of Victoria, temporal affairs of. 17 Vic. No. 19. Telegraphs, Electric. Vide Elec- tric Telegraphs. Thistles, eradication of. 19 Vic. No. 14. Tonnage Duty. Vide Shipping. Tools of Passengers. Vide Pas- sengers. Towns, management of. 18 Vic. No. 14. Trustees, conveyance and transfer of property vested iu. 19 Vic. No. 20. University of Melbourne, incorpo- ration of. 16 Vic. No. 34. Vaccination. To render compulsory. 18 Vic. No. 4. To prevent the spread of small-pox. 21 Vic. No. 87. Vagrancy, prevention of. 16 Vic. No. 22. Volunteer Corps, establishment and regulation of. 18 Vic. No. 7 ; 19 Vic. No. 8. Voters, Parliamentary, registra- tion of. 21 Vic. No. 83. War, munitions of, exportation of. 15 Vic. No. 3, E. Warrant, Dock. Vide Securities. Water Police. Vide Police. Water Supply, Sewerage, Drainage, and (Melbourne), Establishment of a Board of Commissioners for. 16 Vic. No. 39; 21 Vic. No. 69. Wharves, protection and manage- ment of. 17 Vic. No. 27. Wills, amendment of law as to. 18 Vic. No. 19. Wool, preferable lien on. 17 Vic. No. 16; 21 Vic. No. 16. Works, Board of Land and. Vide Land and Works. Worship, Public. Erection of builc1.- ings and maintenance of ministers. 16 Vic. No. 28; 19 Vic. No. 6. Tarra Yarra, prevention of pollu- tion of. 18 Vic. No. 36. VICTORIA. 25 GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA. On the separation of this colony from New South Wales, on the 1st July, 1851, Charles Joseph La Trobe Esq., was appointed Lieutenant-Governor, he having acted as Superintendent from the 30th September, 1839. Upon his departure for Europe, in May 1854, the then Colonial-Secretary, J. V. F. L. Foster, Esq, administered the affairs of Government till the arrival of Sir Charles Hotham, K.C.B., on 21st June, 1854. After his death, which took place on the 31st December, 1856, Major- General Macarthur, Commander of H.M. Forces, was, by the provisions of Her Majesty's Commission, Acting-Governor, and exercised the functions of both offices till the arrival of the present Viceroy, on the 23rd of December, 1856. His Excellency Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B., is the son of JEneas Barkly, Esq., merchant, London, and was bom in 1815. He was educated at Bruce Castle, Tottenham, and entered Parliament, in 1845, as member for Leominster. He retained his seat until 1849, when he was appointed Governor of British Guiana, which office he continued to hold, with credit to himself and advantage to that colony, until 1853, when he was created a Knight Commander of the Bath, and appointed Governor of Jamaica. He retained this office for three years, gaining the good will of all classes of the colonists, and at the end of that period the nigh position which he now holds was offered to him. The dates of Sir Henry Barkly's appointments by the Queen are as follows:—Governor and Commander-in- Chief in and over British Guiana, 12th December, 1848. Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and over the Island of Jamaica and Dependencies, 9th August, 1853. Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and over the Colony of Victoria, 26th September, 1856. These appoint- ments were successively offered to Sir Henry Barkly, by Her Majesty's Ministers for the time being. In 1840, Sir Henry was married to Elizabeth Helen, daughter of J. F. Timins, Esq., of Hilfield, Aldenham, Hertfordshire, and has issue, three sons and one daughter. The lamented death of Lady Barkly, at Toorak, on 17th April, 1857, just when her noble example and virtuous conduct began to exercise a great social influence in the community, caused a deep sorrow among all classes. The career of Sir Henry Barkly, in Victoria, has confirmed the high opinion previously entertained, and won for him the esteem of the whole community. PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA At the time of the separation of Port Phillip from New South Wales, in 1851, the Legislative Council, comprising representatives of the two districts, adopted, on the motion of c •26 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Mr. W. C. Wentworth, a remonstrance against the incomplete form of government accorded to the colonies. The local legislatures were invited by the English Government to suggest such constitutions as were most acceptable to each colony. New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, at different periods availed themselves of the offer thus made, and in each of them the chosen constitution is now undergoing trial. The Constitution Bill passed in Victoria was embodied as a schedule to a short statute, 18 and 19 Victoria, cap. 55, en- abling Her Majesty to assent to the bill, slightly amended. The bicameral form was adopted. Both houses are elected. Twelve months cannot elapse without a session of the Par- liament. Tor names of members, &c., see pages 91 and 92. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. The Executive Council is composed of such persons as the Governor may call upon to advise him. Before the inaugura- tion of Responsible Government certain specified chief officers were, in accordance with Royal Instructions under Letters Patent, necessarily summoned by the Governor as Executive Councillors: but in Victoria, as in other colonies in which Responsible Government is established, the Governor has unfettered power to appoint Executive Councillors, it being understood that when they cease to command confidence and support as a ministry, they will resign their seats in the Executive Council (see book of Colonial Regulations emanating from Downing-street). Practically, therefore, the Executive Council consists of those who, for any time being, are members of the Government, and whose advice in the Executive Council is sought by their colleagues, subject to the condition that the Governor only can appoint Executive Councillors. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The number of members of the Legislative Council in Victoria is thirty. They represent six provinces; viz., the central, the south, the south-western, the western, the north-western and the eastern. At the first general election in 1856, five members were chosen for each province. Of these the one who received the lowest number of votes in each district vacates his seat after the lapse of two years; and each other seat is vacated in rotation, so that the member highest on the poll has a term of office of ten years. The member succeeding at each periodic vacation in like manner is elected for ten years. Occasional vacancies by resignation or death are supplied by the election of a member, who is entitled to a seat for the same term which could have been enjoyed by the member who has vacated the seat. The seat of a member accepting office of profit in the public service becomes ipso facto vacant, but such member may be re-elected. Public contractors cannot be members of coun- cil. A member can resign his seat by a letter addressed to the 28 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRA1ASIA. Roll of the province. A general list is annually made of all who claim to vote up to the 14th January. Special claims are received and special lists made out of claims sent in before the 14tb days of April, July and October in each year. The Act under which registration must be effected is the Act 21 Victoria, No. 33, passed in the first session of the " Parliament of Victoria," as by the Privileges Act, 21 Victoria, No. 1, the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly of Victoria are entitled to be styled. All elections for the Council where a poll is demanded are conducted by ballot, under the provision of the Act 19 Vic- toria, No. 12. Unless bills which alter the Constitution of the colony are passed at the second and third readings by an absolute majority of the whole number of the members of the Council and Assembly respectively, they cannot be presented for the Royal Assent, and such bills when so passed are to be reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon. This limitation is withdrawn from bills relating to qualifications of electors, establishment of new electoral provinces or districts, increasing the number of members, &c., as set out in the 61st clause of the schedule to the Statute 18 and 19 Victoria, cap. 55. The members of the Council are entitled to the prefix of "Honorable," during the period of their being members. THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. The Legislative Assembly is composed of sixty members, who are returned by thirty-seven electoral districts. Two important changes in the constitution of the Legislative Assembly have since become law. The property qualification required by members has been abolished, and the right of voting at elections for members of the Assembly has been conferred on all male subjects of Her Majesty of the age of twenty-one years, not subject to any legal incapacity. The privileges of the Assembly are equivalent to those of the House of Commons, the Constitution Act having enabled the Local Parliament to define its own privileges (not in excess of those of the House of Commons), and the first act of the Parliament of Victoria defined those privileges to be the same as at the time of the passing of the Constitution Act were held by the Commons House of Parliament. The Speaker (entitled to the prefix of "Honorable ") is elected by the Assembly. A member can resign his seat by a letter addressed to the Speaker. The seat of a member of Assembly is necessarily vacated by reason of the same causes as are already enumerated with regard to the Council, and the same restriction exists in both chambers with regard to ineligibility of contractors. The qualification of electors in an electoral district re- VICTOEIA. 29 turning members to the Assembly has undergone considerable revision since the promulgation of the existing Constitution. By the Act 21 Victoria, No. 33, the suffrage is extended to all male natural born subjects of Her Majesty residing in any district, and to all who have been naturalised or made denizens in Victoria three years previous to the day on which they may claim to be registered. Only two months residence in any district is required before registration. Possession of a freehold of the value of fifty pounds, or of the annual value of five pounds, also gives a claim to vote in the district in which the freehold is situate, whether the owner be resident therein or not. No voter can vote twice at any election though he be registered under the " manhood suffrage" title as well as under the title of "freeholder." No person can be registered as a voter who has attained the age of 21 years subsequently to the 23rd November, 1857, unless he can read and write. A general list of electors is made up to the 14th January in each year, and special lists are also made of claims sent to the registrars of a district before the 14th of April, July and October respectively. The claims made are published, and may be objected to in the manner prescribed in the Act. The lists are revised by the Magistrates in Petty Sessions. Elections are conducted by ballot. The Legislative Assem- bly originates all bills for the appropriation of the revenue and for imposing taxes, but may not do so for any purpose which shall not have been first recommended by a message from the Governor during the current session. No differential duties can be imposed by the Legislature on the same class of goods imported from different countries. The Assembly may be prorogued or dissolved by the Gover- nor, but twelve months cannot intervene between the last day of one session and the first day of the next. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. The following account of the various departments of the Government has been gathered from the most reliable and authentic sources. The various tables of statistics tell their own tale, and the arrangement of the varied particulars under their respective heads, will be found useful for ready reference, and at the same time furnish the means of forming an accurate judgment of the progress already made by this infant colony. Had the arrangement of the various departments been adopted according to rank, it would have been as follows:— Chief Secretary, Law, Treasury, Public Works, Customs, and Post-office. The difficulty, however, in obtaining the details of the required information necessitated our printing off several sheets before the whole of the copy was prepared We think this apology may be necessary for an apparent error of arrangement. 30 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. LAW DEPARTMENT.* The Attorney and the Solicitor General, who are at the head of this department, have duties of an important nature to perform. As the Law Officers of the Crown, they are the Grand Jurors and Crown Prosecutors for the colony, and have not only the power to file an information and conduct the prosecution, in those cases when a previous investigation has taken place, and a committal for trial has been directed by a bench of Magistrates; but possess, also, the power of filing an information against, and procuring, upon such information, the arrest of any individual whom they may suspect to be guilty of any crime, without any previous investigation before a Justice as to the merits of the case. Connected with this power the Attorney General is, under the Act 7 Vic. No. 5, enabled to procuve the discharge of any person committed for trial, if on reading the depositions he is of opinion that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction. The Law officers have the responsibility of advising the Crown, the heads of Departments, and Benches of Magistrates in all matters of a legal nature, or in cases where the law is doubtful, or open to misconstruction. The preparation of bills of Parliament introduced by the Government also falls within their province. The Attorney and Solicitor General have, moreover, the direction and general supervision of the branch of the Civil Service connected with the administration of justice, including the departments of the Crown Solicitor, the Prothonotary, the Master in Equity, the Sheriffs, the County Courts, Courts of Mines, General Sessions and Courts of Insolvency, the Courts of Petty Sessions, and Coroners. CROWN SOLICITOR, The Crown Solicitor, being at present absent on leave, the department is divided into two branches, one of which is managed by the Acting Criminal Crown Solicitor, and the other by the Acting Civil Crown Solicitor. The duties of the Criminal branch are to draw all informa- tions against prisoners committed from the different Police Courts for trial before the Supreme Court of Melbourne, and the various Circuit Courts throughout the colony; to prepare briefs for Prosecuting Counsel; to get up the cases on behalf of the Crown; and to attend the Courts for the purpose of instructing the Prosecuting Counsel, and generally to conduct The Staff of the Supreme Court, with names of Barristers, Attorneys, &c, are published under head of Law Department, in Bradthatc'i Guide. VICTORIA. 31 the criminal business of the Country appertaining to the Supreme Court. The duties of the Civil Branch are to conduct all Railway Business, Conveyances, Feoffments. To conduct all actions and suits instituted or defended by the Government, and generally to act as the Attorney for the Government in all matters relating to civil business. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. The duties of the Department are to enforce all the judg- ments of the Supreme Court whether the same be against persons or property; to summon jurors for the Supreme and Circuit Courts, and jurors and assessors for the County Courts and Courts of General Sessions; to control and regulate the gaols, and generally to take charge of the court houses and see that proper order and decorum are observed within their precincts. When the office of Sheriff was undertaken by Claud Farie, in November, 1852, the duties were of a very light nature as compared with what they have now become. The annexed Return of the number of writs issued for execution during the last six years, with amounts recovered under them, and also of the correspondence of the office will best shew the increase in the business of the department. All the expenditure of the department throughout the whole colony, and all correspon- dence connected therewith (as well as the general correspon- dence with the Government and other departments of the Public Service), is controlled and conducted in the Sheriff's Office in Melbourne. The return of writs, &c., appended hereto applies only to the Melbourne office, and there are many others addressed to the Sheriff at Geelong and to the Deputy- Sheriffs direct (without passing through the Central office), on which large sums are collected. A. statement is also appended of the strength of the department, shewing also the number of goals in the colony and the number of prisoners received into each during the years 1856 and 1857. The gaols mentioned are those only under the control of the Sheriff, but besides these gaols proper, there are a number of watchhouses through- out the country, under the control of the Police Department, which have been proclaimed as gaols where prisoners com- mitted for trial at the courts of General Sessions are detained for trial, and some few short sentenced prisoners perform their sentences; as at Warrnambool, Belfast, Ararat, Dunolly, Carisbrook, Alberton, and Kilmore. There were three gaols in Melbourne until the beginning of the year 1858, now there are only two, namely, the Central Gaol, George Wintle, Governor; and the Western Gaol. The Eastern Gaol is now abolished. The number of pri- soners received into it in 1856 was 485, and in 1857, 397. 32 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. The Western Gaol is for female prisoners committed for trial, and sentenced to short periods of incarceration; and is also used for the reception of such male lunatics as cannot be taken in at the Asylum, and a number of sick and destitute vagrants. Long sentenced females are now kept on board the hulk Lysander, in Hobson's Bay, in charge of the Penal Department. The number of prisoners received into this gaol (Western), in 1856, were 964; and in 1858, 906. The Central Gaol receives all male offenders convicted in the Supreme Court and in the respective courts throughout the colony, except short sentenced prisoners (sentenced at Circuit Courts) who perform their sentences in the country gaols. It is also a gaol for general purposes for prisoners of all grades. The number of prisoners received in 1856, was 2,103; in 1857, 2,544. Geelong.—The North Geelong Gaol is a receptacle for male prisoners. The South Geelong for females. The number of prisoners received into these gaols was, in 1856, 959; and in 1857, 1,158. Sheriff, Robert Rede. Sandhurst.—A gaol for the reception of male and female prisoners. The number of prisoners received, in 1856, 547; in 1857, 829. Deputy-Sheriff, Richard Oolles. This gentle- man is Deputy-Sheriff for the Northern Circuit District, both Sandhurst and Castlemaine being within it. Beechwoeth.—A gaol for the reception of male and female prisoners. The number of prisoners received was, in 1856, 489: in 1857, 600. Deputy-Sheriff, William Gore Brett. Number of prisoners confined in all the gaols:—In 1856, 6,459; in 1857, 8,490. The following gentlemen are Stipendiary Magistrates at the places named and act also as Deputy-Sheriffs, but merely for summoning juries:—Kilmore, Andrew McCrae; Hamilton, Cuthbert Fetherstonhaugh; Alberton, C. J. Tyers; Warrnam- bool, Lewis Gilles; Belfast, George Stewart; Carisbrook, Frederick Call; Kyneton, William Lavender. A Return of the number of writs executed by the Sheriff, with the amounts recovered under them; and of the corres- pondence connected with the business of the department from 1st January 1852 to 15th June 1858. Also of the number of insolvencies registered from 1st January 1854 to 15th June 1858. Tears. Number of writs. Amount recovered Insolven- cies. Letters sent out. 1S62 1853 1864 1855 1856 1857 134 365 1,630 2,304 1,320 1,349 678 £ s. d. 3,784 10 7 28,546 7 1 86,429 6 2 45,667 1 10 43,170 9 1 86,869 17 9 11,916 8 3 232 394 233 276 244 158 590 1,243 1,918 2,102 2,338 1,144 To 16th June, 1868 VICTORIA. 3.'? SUPREME COURT. The first Court in the district of Port Phillip, now the Colony of Victoria, was held in the year 1841, in a small brick building at the corner of King and Bourke-streets, west. The Hon. John Walpole Willis, previously one of the Judges of the Supreme Court at Sydney, being the then Resident- Judge. In 1843, Mr. Willis was removed, and Mr. Jeffcott arrived from Sydney as his successor. In 1845, ti v. Justice Jeffcott resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. Roger Therry, now on the Sydney Bench, who remained in office until the beginning of 1846, when he was succeeded by Mr. Justice a'Beckett, now Sir William A'Beckett. On the 1st July, 1851, Port Phillip was separated from New South Wales, and in January, 1852, Mr. Justice A'Beckett became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria, under the Act 15 Vic., No. 10, which created the said Court. In the same month Mr. Justice Barry was raised to the Bench. In July of the same year, Mr. Justice Williams, who previously filled the post of Solicitor-General, was appointed third Judge, and in June, 1856, Mr. Justice Molesworth, Solicitor-General, was made fourth Judge. Sir William A'Beckett having proceeded to England on leave of absence, His Honor Mr. Justice Barry became acting Chief Justice, which office he held until Sir William's arrival, in 1854. In 1857, Sir William A'Beckett retired on a pension, and William Foster Stawell, Esq., now Sir William Foster Stawell, the first Attorney-General of Victoria, which appointment he held up to that year, was appointed Chief Justice. EQUITY AND INSOLVENCY BRANCHES. The Insolvent Court was first established in 1842, under the Act of Council 5 Vic. No. 17, and the appointment of Chief Commissioner of Insolvent Estates conferred on William Verner, Esq., who opened an office in the immediate neighbor- hood of the Supreme Court. In 1843 the business was removed to the present Court House, being the chambers now occupied by His Honor Mr. Justice Molesworth. Up to the end of 1843 the Commissioner received the whole of the Court fees, and carried on the office without expense to the Government. In 1844 he and his officers were placed on fixed salaries, and the fees paid into the Treasury. In 1845 the system of payment was altered, fees being substituted for fixed salaries, which continued to the 1st January, 1847. In April, 1846, Mr. Verner resigned, and Robert Williams Pohlman, Esq. was appointed Chief Commissioner of Insolvent Estates. On 15th July, 1851, Mr. Pohlman was also made Master in Equity, which combined offices he continued to hold until April, 1862, when he was c 3 34 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. appointed Judge of the County Court. On the 19th April, 1852, Frederick Wilkinson, Esq. was appointed Master in Equity and Chief Commissioner of Insolvent Estates (which offices he now holds) ; and in 1854 the Ecclesiastical business was added to the Master's office, and the Ecclesiastical Records handed over to him. Under the Act 5 Vic. No. 17, the creditors of an estate were empowered to elect trustees, of their own choice, but the 7 Vic. No. 19 substituted official assignees instead, which appointment is made by the Chief Justice. The creditors can still appoint a trade assignee if necessary, to act with the Official Assignee. The present Official Assignees are:—Edward Courtney, appointed 10th September, 1850; Robert Elwall Jacomb, appointed 22ud October, 1853; Alexander Laing, appointed 2nd February, 1855; Henry Steel Shaw, appointed 11th June, 1856. MASTER IN EQUITY. The sealing of bills, issuing subpoenas, in fact all the machinery of the Supreme Court in its Equity and Ecclesias- tical Jurisdictions, take place and are carried on in the office of the Master in Equity. He has to draw up all decrees, orders, and rules pronounced and granted by the Court, and before any such decrees and orders, and before any letters of administration or probates can be issued, has to read through the whole of the papers filed by the solicitors, in order to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the whole case. It is his duty to prosecute inquiries as to facts, take accounts, appoint receivers and guardians, take bonds of administrators and their sureties, examine titles, settle and approve of recognizances, and to superintend and carry out many other matters of detail of the most various description, referred to him by the Court. Such inquiries and references involving, not unfrequently, the consideration of questions of great nicety and difficulty. Another duty attached to the office of Master, is that of taxing bills of costs in Equity, Ecclesiastical, and Conveyan- cing. The Master also fulfils the responsible duty of Account- ant-General. All moneys ordered to be paid into Court being paid by him to the Receiver of Revenue (hitherto paid into one of the banks in his name to the credit of the particular cause or matter). In this the Master is assisted by the Chief Clerk who taxes bills of costs, draws up decrees and orders of the Court, when time permits, takes the bonds of administrators and their sureties, keeps the accounts of all moneys paid into and out of court; and superintends, generally, the arrangements of the offices. VICTORIA. 35 EQUITY. — 3 1 it » commeno by ru9e n in fi9ed. ir9e App Petition 1. § '1 a fi9ed. II fl 19. ! 5,, % O '* Year. 9uits by bi: 5 Aii-w Rep9ii Ro99- x S H3 Deere and o Writ- Wri9s Co9on 3 W 1841 S 1 2 1 1842 17 — 5 4 2 45 6 1843 7 — 10 7 1 15 1 1844 6 — 6 2 10 21 3 — 1845 11 — 7 S 9 44 i 1846 1 — 2 1 — — 13 1847 5 — 4 1 — t 10 1 1848 4 — 1 1 — 2 4 0 1849 IS — 6 3 — 1 49 3 1 1850 6 — 2 2 — 3 32 2 1 1851 5 4 5 3 — 1 28 3 2 1852 9 15 4 S — 1 36 1 1853 10 93 7 3 — 6 111 11 5 1854 106 — — — 53 0 181 21 5 1855 161 1 — — 87 26 256 42 1856 120 — — — 65 11 74 48 2 1857 119 — — — 65 U 231 16 1858) 91 40 15 160 11 INSOLVENCY. 1 No. of Insol- vents. Liabilities as i Assets shown in as shown in the Insolvents'; Insolvents' I Schedules. Deficiency. 1842 104 10 114 1843 119 4 123 1844 43 8 40 1845 11 0 11 1846 24 2 26 1847 11 2 13 1348 21 3 24 1849 29 1 30 1850 27 9 36 1851 18 3 21 1852 6 2 8 1853 17 6 23 1854 175 29 204 1855 175 63 228 1856 65 46 111 1857 164 46 210 18681 to 30 V Sep. J 399 36 434 ! £, 212,805 468,467 94,097 37,405 127,024 2,106 17,452 35,721 32,323 16,060 12,856 38,430 974,955 827,701 s. d.| £ 1 9 143,862 8 0 215,410 0 4 | 76,884 16 9 12,117 16 8 18 11 3 8 18 8 18 4 2 2 5,098 1,001 4,068 6,089 17,164 10,703 9 4 1 4,274 9 « 23,364 9 9,758,178 17 21680,795 1 4 211,337 10 8,447,843 0 7 1 9 3 o 18 6 9 5 IS 14 9 11 17 3 13 5 s mi 846,394 434 682,799 0 0'370,618 2 2 £ 6S.943 253,057 17,212 25,288 121,926 1,105 13,388 29,632 15,169 5,356 8,881 15,065 216,776 146,905 152,265 398,651 s. d. 1 9 0 7 18 8 7 0 12 3 13 9 6 6 12 7 8 10 17 0 11 0 14 11 19 10 14 11 7 10J 1 212,281 16 11 36 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. ECCLESIASTICAL. Year taken out. Adminis9ration with the wi99 annexed. Administra9ion- 9o next of kin. Adminis9ra9ions 9o widows. Admini9ration- 9o creditor-. To Executors of next oi kin of decea-ed. To At9orney- of next of Kin. Tota9 amoun9 of proper- 9ie- -worn under the variou- G9a-ses of admin- is9ration. To9a9 9n Probate-. £ £ £ £ £ £ s. d. £ £ 10 38 64 15 83 1854 17370 22751 67030 103S6 1000 0 0 126837 0 0 291083 9 35 42 8 1 8 98 64 1855 18430 16635 37472 3030 3000 6908 17 1 69257 17 1 419585 27 36 4 1 5 1856 42278 2598S 1450 350O0 1320 0 0 106236 0 0 149799 8 59 33 6 24 1857 8010 57295 41493 2000 5304 0 0 114894 0 0 250739 32 52 11 14 75 1858 10459 30009 4340 2982 0 0 53890 0 0 158895 to 30th Sep. Return of the Business heard and disposed of by the Supreme Court in its Equitv, Insolvency, and Ecclesiastical Jurisdic- tions, from 25th October 1853 to the 31st December 1857. From EQUITY. Oct 25, 1854. 1855. 1856. 1857. 1853. Rules Nisi and Orders Nisi granted .. 82 28 21 14 10 Rule- and Orders Nisi made absolute .. 4 10 16 8 8 Rules and Orders discharged .. .. 8 13 6 4 1 Bills dismissed on motion — 3 17 16 20 Bills dismissed at the hearing- .. .. — 2 4 9 2 Decrees in suits commenoed by Rale Nisi 11 20 1 — — Decrees in suits commenced by Bill .. — 7 25 41 34 Decrees on further directions .. .. — 1 1 7 10 Issues directed 1 1 1 1 3 Demurrers allowed — 1 8 1 4 Demurrers overruled — 2 3 5 2 Motions granted 14 40 52 63 55 Motions refused 2 11 23 26 17 Injunctions granted on motion .. .. — 7 12 6 11 Injunction motions refused — 12 10 10 5 Ne Exeats granted — 1 1 2 — Cases Struck out — 6 4 10 5 Judgments reserved 4 — 5 11 18 Postponements 9 2 7 16 8 Pleas allowed — — 1 — — Pleas overruled .. .. — — 1 1 — Rehearings Granted — — 3 1 — Vesting orders granted — — — 5 13 Appeals in Equity — — — 8 7 Attachments granted — 3 8 5 2 ECCLESIASTICAL. Motions for Probates and Administrations granted .. — 270 223 203 250 Number of times the Court sat .. .. 21 75 84 104 154 VICTORIA. 37 PROTHONOTABY'S DEPARTMENT. The Prothonotary is required to attend the Supreme Court at its sittings in banco, to take notes of the applications made on motion and the decision of the Court thereon; when ordered by the Court or a Judge, he has to examine witnesses, and to report thereon; and when an amount claimed is a matter of calculation, he has to ascertain and decide in the same manner as before a jury, upon inquiry, the amount of the damages. These proceedings are generally attended by Counsel, and the examination of the witnesses is sometimes very voluminous. He is required to settle bonds for security for costs, to settle commissions, to issue exemplifications and memorials of judgments when required to ground proceedings upon in the Courts of the neighbouring colonies. In the absence of the Prothonotary from his office, all acts which he is required to do may be done by the Chief Clerk. The Prothonotary and Chief Clerk tax bills of costs, both between party and party, and between attorney and client, from ten o'clock to three every day, both in term and vacation. In the progress of this busines, nice questions arise upon what are called cross issues, requiring a careful analysis, and exami- nation of the case, and of the evidence; and, under the act regulating the taxation of Attorneys' Bills of Costs, they have very often to investigate and decide upon long and complicated accounts. The Prothonotary is also charged with the responsible duty of receiving and paying into the Treasury moneys paid into Court by suitors, and of paying the same out of Court, to those parties entitled to receive them, also of collecting and accounting for the fee fund, such moneys amounting to a large sum annually. The following is a summary of the general duties performed in the Prothonotary's office :—To keep a roll of barristers and attorneys admitted to practice; to keep a record of all com- missioners appointed; to keep a book containing the names and residences of attorneys and of parties sueing and defending in person; to file and record all criminal informations, indict- ments, and convictions; to prepare abstracts and to pay the expenses of witnesses attending criminal trials; to seal, enter, index, and issue all writs of summons, capias, replevin, all writs of execution and subpoenas: to file and enter all appear- ances; to record and index all judgments signed, warrants of attorney, cognovit actionem, and writs and orders of attach- ment; to receive all records and prepare lists of causes for trial; to prepare and issue all jury precepts; to file all affi- davits used before the Court or the Judges, at chambers, or upon taxation of costs; to furnish office copies of all documents when demanded, to attend to office searches, and to produce 38 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. documents when required before the Judges or Court; to make entries of all proceedings in causes; to file memorandum alleging error in fact, and to deliver note of receipt thereof; to receive and file all appeals and special cases, and, after hearing, to draw and issue the order of the Court thereon ; to issue and record all rules of Court. CRIMINAL BUSINESS. Prisoners Convicted. Capi9al Convictions. Indict9 ments Filed. Prison- ers Tried. Felonies. Year. Offences against the Person Offences against property Misde- meanors Total 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 toJune3O 242 482 020 60S 468 420 552 858 233 605 781 538 489 494 701 429 20 147 187 85 41 70 120 88 132 221 812 223 96 167 254 199 152 368 499 308 137 237 374 232 18 103 63 62 84 35 61 64 1 4 20 9 10 11 20 6 CIVIL BUSINESS. 1 Writs of Summons Sssued. Causes entered for Trial or Snquiry. | Judiments siined. Exec.tions iss.ed. R.les of Court. Bills taxed. Money Sid into Court. Money Sid o.9 of Court. •a Year. m I £ s. d. & s. d. £ s. d. 1851 449 90 102 78 698 15 7 706 9 7 2371 9 1 1852 767 136 109 79 334 3857 19 4 3854 14 4 4028 4 3 1853 1756 449 328 168 547 517 14898 9 3 12548 7 5 3404 18 1 1854 3155 1304 1543 1294 546 1813 30265 0 6 22104 11 9 9889 0 2 1855 6671 1107 2461 2090 631 2639 17101 5 11 24390 6 6 12037 13 8 1856 3246 625 1417 1298 528 1230 13512 0 7 11828 8 10 7377 7 6 1857 4266 654 1846 1454 574 1269 17213 14 1 20181 2 3 8395 1 4 1858 2646 370 1103 909 211 784 8334 14 8 7685 3 1 4352 14 0 to 30 June SUPREME AND CIRCUIT COURTS. The Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court are held at Melbourne every Month, except January. Circuit Courts are held at Geelong, Ballaarat, Castlemaine, Sandhurst, Beech- worth, and Portland. VICTORIA. 39 COUNTY COURTS, COURTS OF MINES, AND COURTS OP GENERAL SESSIONS Are held at the places indicated in page 16 of Bradalum'a Guide. The following Table shows the number of cases tried annually in the various County Courts and Courts of General Sessions throughout the Colony, from 1853 to 1857, inclusive. 1853. 1854. 1 1855. 1866. 1857. moral ssions. • Is jneral sssions. >neral ssions. ll ii If 3 o S3.2 § 1 || % 1 <= t 3 3 v a, So Ocn ™ 9 c o OO O QQ oo ©GO am OO Alberton 2 6 49 4 ioT Ararat 1259 202 Ballaarat 41 14 80 495 215 209 1656 146 1674 70 230 Beechworth 22 83 126 298 124 666 Belfast 9 118 14 171 S 145 1 145 5 143 Carisbrook 67 269 47 233 72 301 24 Castlemaine 86 183 13 406 527 28 613 11 956* Geelong 59 231 29 83 666 815 35 611 34 550 Hamilton 13 2 5 26 20 14 22 Kilmore 37 21 154 418 16 192 19 181 Kyneton 60 165 152 e 165 67 Melbourne 106 1184 178 5852 7867 28f 5615 33f 5498 Portland 8 36 11 96 6 57 5 154 105 78 Sandhurst 59 195 622 740 69 1251 Warrnambool 2 84 6 187 7 252 PETTY SESSIONS. The number of places where Petty Sessions are held is eighty-one; of these, forty-four are attended by Resident paid Magistrates, twenty-two are visited by paid Magistrates, and at the remaining eighteen branches the Magisterial business is conducted altogether by the unpaid Justices of the Peace. CORONERS, The necessary information may be obtained from Bradshaw's Guide, page 19. CITY POLICE COURT, This court may be considered as divided into two branches, one for criminal and the other for civil prosecutions. The criminal court sits daily, presided over by Charles P. Hackett, Esq., Police Magistrate, in the absence on leave of E. P. Sturt, Esq., Resident Magistrate. The duties of the criminal branch are to dispose of all cases * During 1854-6-6-7, prisoners were not tried at Castlemaine General Sessions, and the numbers stated are appeal cases. t Since the beginning; of 1866 criminal cases have not been tried by Mel- bourne General Sessions. 40 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. appearing on the daily charge sheet of persons arrested for felony, misdemeanours and other offences. The following is a summary of the general detail of duties performed :—-Taking depositions and forwarding same to the Attorney-General in cases of commitment for trial, binding over witnesses to appear and prosecute, preparing warrants of commitment, information in cases of felony, orders and convictions in cases summarily disposed of, preparation of weekly returns of all cases disposed of, time and place of arrest, by whom arrested, nature of the offence, before whom tried, money or other pro- perty found on the person of the prisoner, how disposed of, &c. In this court, the hearing and consideration of applications are held for auctioneers', publicans', hawkers' and pedlars', and pawnbrokers' licenses, (see pages 76 and 77), within the city, preparation of accounts of all forms, penalties, fees, &c., re- ceived and paid into the Treasury weekly, courts of revision quarterly of electoral lists for the Legislative Council and Assembly. The total number of cases disposed of at this branch of the City Court from 1st January to 30th September, 1858, was 7,006. The civil business of the City Court is presided over by Septimus Martin Esq., J.P., acting for Charles P. Hackett, Esq., Police Magistrate. The court sits daily in the hearing of cases of assault, disputes between masters and servants, offences under the Management of Towns Act, orders of main- tenance, &c. The number of cases disposed of in this court, from 1st January 1858 to 30th September 1858, amounts to 6,010. LAND AND WORKS. The Board of Land and Works is formed of the President, Vice-President, Commissioner of Public Works, Surveyor- General, Commissioner of Roads and Bridges, and Commis- sioner of Railways. The department under the control of the President, and in his absence the Vice-President, are the Crown lands, including survey, sale and management of lands of the colony, roads and bridges, public works, railways, Aborigines, sewerage and water supply. The duties connected with the various branches of the department are defined by the Board of Land and Works Act, 21 Vic., cap. xxxi.; ditto amendment, 22 Vic., cap. lviii. Crown Lands Acts (see Adamson). Her Majesty's Orders in Council of various dates. Thistle Preven- tion Act, 19 Vic., cap. xiv. Road Act, 16 Vic., cap. xl. and 17 Vic., cap xxix. Police (town and country) Act, 18 Vic., cap. xiv. Sewerage, 16 Vic, No. 38, and Amendment Act of last session, &c., &c. VICTORIA. 41 The duties of the President and Vice-President are clearly defined by the Acts. CBOWH LANDS. Of the facilities afforded for the permanent settlement of this increasing population, it may be stated that there had been sold, in 1851, 99,769 acres to 77,345 persons, being little more than an acre and a quarter to each, while the number alienated up to the end of 1857 was 2,748,415 acres, sold to 450,000 persons, at the rate of six acres to each. The computed area of Victoria is about 55,644,160 acres, of which, so far as the survey returns at present extend, it is known there remain 35,352,486 acres fitted for agricultural and grazing purposes. During the four years ending 31st December, 1857, 1,781,347 acres of land realised the sum of £3,994,524, being at an average price of £2 4s. l0d. per acre. This apparently high average has been caused by the limited quantity brought into market, as compared with the demand; and also includes the prices, necessarily high, realised for town and suburban lands. Gradually, however, the price of country lands is being re- duced, and may, ere long, be obtained at the Government price of £1 an acre. One great advantage with regard to the unsold agricultural lands of this country is, that, for the greater part, they lie within the area of settlement, and close to markets. This is in the main attributable to the manner in which the popula- tion has distributed itself in masses over the whole extent of the country, in consequence of the general diffusion of its metallic wealth; and it forms a striking contrast in this respect with the case of most other new countries, where much of the agricultural land is to be found only in places remote from the present or probable early settlement of a dense population. The following table has been forwarded by the Hon. the Commissioner of Public Works and Lands, as an authentic statement taken from the books in Crown Lands Office, Mel- bourne :— Area of land in the colony, acres 55,644,160 No. of holders of purchased land ... . 10,260 Acres of purchased land in occupation 2,113,134 Acres in crop 237,729 Occupied acres of purchased land not cultivated .. .. 1,875,405 Quantity of land sold by the Crown during the last ten years 2,541,913 Quantity of land unsold 62,882,544 Amount realised by land sales daring the last ten years .. £6,636,555 Average price per acre for the last ten years £2 12s. 2d. Average price per acre for the year 1857 £2 2s. 7d. The Occupation Branch of the Survey Department has the general superintendence of the occupation of Crown Lands, for both pastoral and other purposes throughout the colony of Victoria, excepting on the gold-fields. 44 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. became a separate department, and, together with the Electric Telegraph Department, was placed under the control of a Responsible Minister, the details and general superinten . dence being confided to a Secretary, whose appointment is a permanent one. The Rules and Regulations under which the business of the Post Office Department is conducted, are comprised in Acts 17 and 18 Victoria, Nos. 30 and 81. The Rates of Postage chargeable in Victoria will be found in a comprehensive table published by the Post Office authori- ties, and inserted monthly in Bradshaw's Guide to Victoria, also regulations in reference to the postage of Newspapers; trans- mission of gold in letters; soldiers' and sailors' letters; exemptions; books and packets; unpaid, insufficiently paid, and irregularly posted letters; unclaimed letters; list of post towns, with closing of mails, and distances from Melbourne, &c. In the month of July, 1858, a bill was introduced into the Legislative Assembly by the Hon. Dr. Evans, postmaster- general, and is now in force, for legalizing the issue and payment of Post Office Money Orders under certain regulations which will be found inserted in the monthly manual men- tioned above. The rapidly increasing business of the General Post Office, Melbourne, and the insufficient accommodation afforded in the old building, which had been enlarged so often as to render it unsightly, and unsuitable for the prompt performance of the work required, has necessitated the erection of a new edifice that shall serve for a Metropolitan Post Office for many years to come, and provide ample space for the public and the employes. The Legislature voted £25,000 for this purpose on the estimates of 1858, and a further sum of £30,000 is provided on the estimates of 1859. The Government advertised for plans, offering three premiums,—one for £300, one for £200, one for £100, for the best architectural designs, and similar premiums for the internal arrangements. Thes prizes were awarded, as follows:— Architectural desiom. 1st prize, Messrs. Crouch & Wilson ... £300. 2nd „ Mr. A. E. Johnson £200. 3rd „ Mr. William Elsdon £100. Internal arrangement. 1st „ Mr. E. Romanis £300. 2nd „ Mr. A. E. Johnson £200. 3rd „ Messrs. Weaver & Kemp ... £100. It is understood to be the intention of Government to call for tenders forthwith, for the erection of the new structure, and it is probable that the centre of the City of Melbourne will shortly be adorned by a Post Office building worthy of Victoria. VICTORIA. 45 CHIEF SECRETARY. The departments of the Puhlic Service under the control of the Hon. the Chief Secretary, are the Police, Penal Estab- lishments, Gaols, Gold fields, Registration, and Statistics, Agriculture, Science, Electoral and Registration of Voters, Medical, Sanatory, Lunatic Asylum, Patents, and the Registra- tion of Friendly Societies. In the office of the Chief Secretary is transacted all govern- ment business relating to Municipalities (28 in number), and various local institutions. Certificates of Naturalization are prepared in this office, and also all Commissions, Patents, Writs and other documents under the Great Seal of the colony. The Government Gazette is compiled in this office. Correspondence with the Governments of the other Aus- tralian colonies and New Zealand and with the Colonial Agent-General, as well as the ordinary miscellaneous corres- pondence with the public, is conducted in this office. REGISTRAR-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT.9 The Registrar-General's department was formed in the year 1853, in accordance with the provisions of the Act of Council 16 Vic., No. 26, commonly known as the " Registration Act." This measure enjoined— 1st. The division of the colony into registration districts, of which there are at the present time one hundred and twenty-three. And 2ndly. The appointment of one or more Registrars to each. 3rdly. The obligation on the part of the Registrars to record in the manner prescribed, and to make returns in the months of January, April, July and October to the chief office, Melbourne, of all cases of birth and death, without charge to the public individually. 4thly. That ministers of all denominations should in like manner register and make returns of all marriages solemnised by them. When a birth, or death or marriage is registered, the particulars are entered on two different sheets, and the Registrar and the party or parties interested sign both sheets. One of these sheets is retained by the clergyman or Registrar, and the other one, literally agreeing with the former, is sent to the 9 An account of the organization of this department by Mr. W. H. Archer, A.B.G., is given in pages 112,113, and 114, of his Statistical Register of Victoria, 1864. 46 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Registrar-General's office at the close of every quarter, and after careful examination as to errors or discrepancies is preserved there as a public record. All children should be registered within sixty days after birth. The Registration Act requires (under a penalty for neglect) that the parents of a child born, or the occupier of the house wherein any birth or death may happen, shall give notice of such birth or death to the Deputy Registrar of the district. Every person dying should be registered before the funeral takes place, so that the Deputy Registrar may give a certificate of registration to the undertaker, who after the body is buried, is required to attest place and date of interment. The importance of this proceeding may be estimated by sec. xxv. of the Act, where it is enacted that certified copies of registers or entries of registers, shall be received as prima facie evidence in any Court of Justice,—" provided that no entry of the register of any death shall be received as evidence of the fact of such death, unless there shall also be an entry of the register of the burial." As every inhabitant of the colony may, at some time or other be interested in knowing the precise time of some birth or death, and, as a complete system of registration will prevent much litigation in future years, and otherwise protect indivi- dual rights of property, besides throwing light on many social questions as to duration of life among children and the up- grown population, to the increase of statistical science, and the general advantage of the inhabitants of Victoria, it is of the utmost importance that the public should cordially co-operate In carrying out the registration system to its fullest extent. All letters or packets on registration business to the Registrar General, or any of the Deputy Registrars, provided the sides are open, pass through the Post Office free of charge. The number of names registered in the Birth, Death, and Marriage Index Books, numbered in July, 1858, about 112,000, and may be said to relate in some way or other to almost every family in the colony. The public has access to these carefully and methodically kept records from ten till four o'clock daily. The fee required for a search is 2s. 6d., and for a certi- ficate 5s., in accordance with a proclamation made in the Government Gazette on the 28th day of April, 1854. VACCINATION. Under the provisions of the Act, 18 Vic., No. 4, commonly known as the "Vaccination Act," the colony has also been divided into districts, and public vaccinators have been ap- pointed in each, who respectively attend on certain days of the week to vaccinate such children as may be brought to them for that purpose. A notice on such occasions is given by the vaccinator to the parents or guardians to take the children again for inspection on the eighth day following, VICTORIA. 47 under a penalty. After the successful vaccination of any child, the vaccinator gives a certificate to that effect to the parent or guardian, and forwards a duplicate to the Deputy Registrar of Births and Deaths for the district. The Deputy Registrar on his part is required within twenty days after the registration of any birth, to give notice (on a printed form), to the parent or guardian to have the child vaccinated, and of the days and hours in each week that the Government vaccinator attends for that purpose, and on the certificates of successful vaccination being forwarded to him, to keep a register in duplicate of all such cases, one to be for- warded to the Registrar-General's office quarterly, and the other to be retained by himself. Such registers are open for public inspection gratis, and copies of entries are furnished on payment of the fee of Is. The fee to vaccinators paid by Government is 2s. 6d. for each successful case, and to Deputy Registrars Is., for each entry of successful vaccination. The number of vaccinators is about ninety. The public Vaccinators are also empowered to give certifi- cates to the parents of the child not being in a fit state to be vaccinated, or being insusceptible of the vaccine disease: but the successful cases are the only ones of which any record is kept by the Deputy Registrar. Any legally qualified medical practitioner, not being a pub- lic vaccinator, may vaccinate, but must give a certificate of each successful case to the parent or guardian and forward a duplicate to the Deputy Registrar of the district to be entered in his register. Parents or guardians refusing to have their children vacci- nated after having received a proper notice from the Deputy Registrar, or neglecting to appear before the vaccinator on the eighth day following, are liable to a penalty of 40s., which may be increased to £5. PATENTS. 20 Vic., No. 8. All letters patent granted by the Colonial Government are registered in the Chief Secretary's Office, and become operative from the day on which the specification is left at the office of the Chief Secretary. The original specifications and drawings, and model (if any) are transferred by the Chief Secretary to the custody of the Registrar-General at the expiration of the six months' protection allowed by the act. The specifications are open to the inspection of the public during the usual office hours. Fee, one shilling. No assignment of any patent, whether in whole or part, is legally valid without having been recorded in the Registrar- General's office. 48 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. AGRICULTURAL AND OTHER STATISTICS. By a well-organised agency an account of live stock, agricul- tural produce, and other important particulars connected with the material prosperity of the colony, are taken annually by this department. REGISTERED IMPORTED LIVE STOCK. Quarterly returns of Registered Imported Live Stock are likewise received, and are published in the Gazette, in accor- dance with Act of Council 19 Vic., No. 21 FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. Yearly abstracts of the experience of sickness and mortality occurring in Friendly Societies, as well as returns of their income and expenditure, are deposited there in accordance with Act 18 Vic., No. 41. RAILWAYS. A yearly return of shareholders of the Melbourne and Hob- son's Bay Railway is open for inspection on the payment of Is. for each inspection, in accordance with 16 Vic. (private Act), sec. 7. INQUESTS. All the depositions of inquests, from the year 1839 to the present time, have been transferred from the Attorney-Gene- ral's department to this office, and the public can have access to the alphabetical indexes daily, without charge. ELECTORAL ACT. Under the Electoral Act, the Election Auditors are required to forward all election accounts to this office, where they are always open to inspection; and copies may be had on pay- ment of a fee of 2s. 6d. for first 100 words, and Is. for every 200 words over the first 100 words, in accordance with 21st section of 19th Vict., No. 11. DEED BRANCH. All grants from the Crown issued by the Government are copied, enrolled and examined here. A general index of the same is also kept for the use of the legal profession. Certified copies of Crown grants are made for proof of title &c., and likewise, certified copies of memorials, and of certificates to naturalize. SUPREME COURT REGISTRY. This office having been removed, now forms a branch of the Registrar-GeneralSs Department, and the public have access thereto during the usual office hours, for the purpose of regis- tration of deeds of conveyance, mortgages on real property, liens on wool, mortgages on stock, &c. In the searching room, Crown grants, memorials of all deeds of conveyance, mortgages, &c., are kept with indexes for the convenience of parties searching for incumbrances. The fees of this branch are regulated by Act of Council. VICTORIA. 49 GOLD-FIELDS OF VICTORIA. For purposes of administration, the gold-fields are divided into six mining districts, which are again formed into sub- divisions. In each mining district there is a Mining Board, a staff of Wardens, Chinese Protectors, &c, and a Court of Mines. The Mining Boards each consist of twelve members, who are elected for a term of twelve months by the miners residing in the several divisions; and these Boards are empowered to make bye-laws for regulating mining operations throughout their respective districts. Disputes arising out of mining operations are adjudicated upon either by the Warden in charge of the division (with or without assessors, at the option of the disputants), or by the Court of Mines, which is presided over by a Judge, and is held periodically in various parts of the district. An appeal from the decision of a Warden, or Warden and assessors, to the Court of Mines is allowed, under certain restrictions. (Act 21 Vict. 32, sec. 84. With reference to the following tables, it is to be observed that, independently of the effects produced by the opening of new ground, the population of the gold-fields fluctuates consi- derably at different periods of the year, being limited in various localities by the supply of water necessary for mining ope- rations, as well as for the consumption of the population. The returns are furnished to the Government fortnightly, and being made up from minute details sent in from the local government officers, are found to be very close approximations —sufficiently so for all practical purposes. The general cor- rectness of them may be gathered from the trifling difference between the estimated population on the 1st January, 1857. and the enumerated population according to the census taken on the 81st March following. Thus, for the Ballaarat district, the estimate was 49,000, and the enumeration 47,728 ; for the Castlemaine district the estimate and enumeration were re- spectively 28,500 and 31,331; for the Sandhurst district the Warden's estimate was 32,221, and the census returns showed the population to be 32,417. Hitherto the pursuit of mining has not partaken, to any considerable extent, of a scientific character, and doubtless much labor has been uselessly expended, yet the nett results have been so astounding, that the gold-fields may justly occupy the first rank. The subjoined tables present at one view the rise, progress, and yield of the several auriferous districts. Attention has been already called to the necessity of collect- ing and concentrating the engineering skill now within reach, and steps are in progress for the prosecution of the mining interest upon a more extended scale. D iz9 09009 , oi'o- i0i9 9999 9999 9-z'-- 999 99'-9 900i oi'rre , a9'00 I 99009- a99 09'i oo-'-- o-o9z 9i 09 999 99i 999 99i 99i 99i 9,9 900- 999 999 o-99 -i'zi 99i 999 99 09 099 99Zi oi'g 9900 i009 999- 999 99'- KS99 9Z9 099 999 099 9900Z 99'9 99- 999 99 91 000i9 Z-00, 9Z'00 9999 i-'o T9 9 t*'i 99'i 90'99 09999 oi'ei 0000i 9Z9i9 999 9900* 9Z009 99i9 9099 09 0-9i 9Z99 09'S 99-9 99'- zi'z 09i 99'- 999 0-99 9Z9 0099 i-'z 09'- oi'z -9 9 i9'- 999 0000Z9 ,0099 009, 99'i i0i9 99'i 09'9 9Z'9 999 99-9 999'i 9000i 90'° 990'-- 9o99- t9i 99'9 999Z 99 09 Zi'o 9900 99i 999 9oi 99i 99i 9,'9 900- 09'9 999 9-'U 099'9 9-'- 9ii 99'9 99 09 0099 ,Z99 99009 99'9 i99 99* 9900 900- -it 099 099 099 099 oi'z 99'9 99- 999 9i 95 000099 Zi99 oze'o- 9999 9v'n 9999 09'. 99'9 99'9 oii9zi 990099 900099 9°99 s00i 09's 999 9009 0999 99 999 999 009 99 981 981 -99 998I 998I 99 99 99 99 *99 99 999 «0OAy 999 Z99 "" 999" 999 "" 99 "" 009" 999 'Xraninif 9'^uniqjiig •av3A hoys io iHYflKYf ki -iaiHi-iQ ONiNiH -ii9HVA 3Hi &o n9ivumoj aaivwu-g; 3HI do KHaiag v9aoio9A jo scna9d anoo '9udy mw n0 uoi-jnqU'j-Tp oqijo njn^J aqi o*; aou9api no uea- aq xn* w 'ap*ra naaq aAuq suoiiuiau-e orquiapi-noo 9a-jup oomg •9,9 ^ua-aid oqj jo -juataaaaaaimoa eqi jopd papnnoq -v -iOLii-ip jujaAos aq-j jo uoi^vfndod oq.j soAjif ujiiiai OAoqu aqx '9un^aj anretnejis-"o aq-j'm paprqotn ve& noiwindod oq? 'AJBB-aoau sjaui-ip o^BJwios o-juj uoi-j-B9aioj ipqi jopa&i o; en aou^m>dnn pun 9ua-pca qonii jo 9uuuiaq ci ay pu-e i-anqpu-"- jo -piag-pio9 aqi 03 BnotAaj j—'axo^ 999f 9it9 09'9 9it9 z099iS 00009 9Z9i 9-9- 9i 9°999 9-9Z 99'T 9f9 998'9! 9999 99-.9 9-9009 f».ZH 9900i9 999i 09-i 09'E oi'e 9Z-i 0o9i 09 99 99 909 99'f llit M.. 99 0it 99'- 999Z o9'zi 999i 9i99 ,Zi9 ui9j 0z9- 00009 t0'- 9,i 00999 99_ 9-009 99 9i Zui9 99i 9 9 001 949i 9i99 99Z9 Zz99 999 99009Z 99f 9i.9 ui009 f9*9 0_6i9 9i 9900- 9999 99i 9,9- 9-'9t 9999 0999 00009 0999 099i 9ii- 9999 90000 99909 9i999 00999 099- 99*Z 9 999- 999- 9Z009 -999 9999 9999 99'- 09i 099- 9Z99- 9Z0i 0000Z9 9--99 999Z9 9-Z99 9-'9 999 9999 09-99 9f9 90-99 99Z99 999 9Z99 9-9'- 9Zt9 99009 900i 99009 00Z999 9i99 99iZ 9979 99009 990099 900*9 9iZ9 99'- 099Z on 9 9 llit 9999 9009 99 0i 909 ,99 99009 8°'s o9'- 099 99iZ 9009Z 9999 00999 9900Z9 99999 9Z9i 99 99. Zi9 999 9-- 9-009 09 a99- 09009 00009 9,9 09.9 i9 o09 99T 1LZ Z9 99, a099 999 9ii- 999i O0Z9 9009 099 9i99 9Z009 99'- 9.Z9 9Z99 9000- 09'09 00099 0000Z 9Z9i9 99*9 99 999 -99 E99 999 009 99 99 99 999 E98I 999 i9 499 999 999 *99 9-. 9 9i9 009 M99 999 i9 -99 j 939O fi.uos„puv 52 HANDBOOK TO AUSTEALASIA. Retcen of the distribution of the Population of the various Gold-fields in the month of January of each year. Locality. Total in January of each Year. BaUaarat— Ballaarat ) Buninyong > Creswick ) Smyth's Creek .. Steiglitz & Mount 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 255f 5,800 1,850 18,700 3,500 15,716 15,785 26,500 | 13,3001 14,000 12,900 7,450 7,700 19,000 12,000 6,000 13,000 Egerton Fiery Creek ::} 700 10,030 1,850 5,100 1,800 1,920 Total Castlemaine— Castlemaine "\ Barker's Creek Campbell's Crk. V Forest Creek MaldonorTargr,/ 255 7,650 22,200 31,600 50,530 49,000 53,720 25,000 26^000 15,33o| 4,660 5,600 10,770 V 14,467 2,500 700 2,000 6,000 2,150 7,500 2,000 2,850 800 3,600 7,850 5,670 5,160 1,850 Tarradale Hepburn or Mt. l,20oJ 5,2001 10,8001 Franklin Mount Blackwood 1,800 3,000 7,600 4,050 1,600 4,650 950 Total 25,000 .20,000 24,930 18,970 35,757 28,500 33,370 Avocar- Avoca .. Maryborough .. Amherst 4,500 8,000 1,400 6,000 9,000 7,400 2,200 17,000 2,800 3,25o' 9,000 5,250 Dunolly.Moliagul and Korong .. •• 1,126 7,600 24,200 2,450 11,130 21,050 6,520 Pleasant Creek .. Total Sandhurst— Sandhurst Heathcote Waranga 15,026 30,000 48,650 56,200 17,000 20,950 3,500) 700 f 22,000 900 17,400 1,1001 29,951 1,750 21,310 2,190 2,000 620 Total Beechworth— Beechwth., 3-Mile & Snake Valley Woolshed Yackandandah .. Buckland Omeo 17,000 25,150 22,900 18,500 32,221 25,500 5.00C 1,845 330 2,570 325 2,200 2,040 1,700 362 8,00£ 4.96C 2,571 90( 13,237 4,111 3,243 2,216 611 6,000 1,300 650 Total Anderson's Ck.— Anderson's Creek and Caledonia 5,00( 8,175 4,845 6,292 16,43f ij 23,418 .. 1,400 l,250i 1,450 1 See notes attached to return of population, p. 51. VICTORIA. 53 Return of the distribution of the Population of the various Gold-fields on the 24th April, 1858. Locality. Popn. District. Avoca Amherst Ararat .Armstrong's andl 1 G.W. Diggings| Anderson's Crk. and Caledonia Ballaarat North Buninyong Brown's Barker's Creek. SeeCastlemne. Beachworth and SpringCreek Buckland Creswick (Carngham Castlemaine, Barker's,Camp-| hell's & Forest Creeks .Caledonia. Anderson's Ck. [Campbell's Crk. See Castlem. ICochrane's Dunoily and Sandy Creek Fryer's Creek Forest Crk. See1 Castlemaine. Fiery Creek. See Raglan. G. W. Diggings. See Armstrg's. Heathcote 2,775 4,200 10,050 1,450 17,000 11,500 4,000 1,818 8,500 4,000 15,180 1.600J 5,' 11,4421 3,500] Maryboro' do. Ararat. do. Castlemaine! Ballaarat do. do. Castlemaine Beechworth do. Ballaarat do. Castlemaine! do. do. Maryboro' do. Castlemaine do. Ararat do. Sandhurst Locality. Popn. District. Hepburn or Mt. Franklin Korong . Kilmore Linton's Mount Egerton Mt. Misery. See WoadyYallock Mt. Blackwood Maldon or Tarrg. Mount Franklin. See Hepburn Maryborough .. McCallum's Omeo Pleasant Creek.. Raglan or Fiery | Creek Steiglite Smyth's Creek St. Arnaud Sandy Crk. Dunoily Sandhurst Spring Crk. Sei Beechworth . Snake Valley . Tarradale Tarrangower. See Maldon . Three-Mile Crk. WoadyYallock & Mount Misery Waranga Woolahed Yackandandah.. See 5,200 1,450 155 4,000 200 1,000 4,720 12,500 2,500| 587 20,000 1,820 1,300 4,550 Castlemainel Maryboro9 Sandhurst Ballarat do. do. do. Castlemaine do. Maryboro' do. Beechworth Ararat do. Ballarat do. 650 Maryboro' do. Sandhurst 20,645 1,000 1,767 1,1001 1,200 3,293 2,772 Beechworth I do. Castlemainel do. Beechworth Ballaarat Sandhurst Beechworth do. Ketdbn of the Population of the various Mining Districts on 24th April, 1858. District. Men. Other than Chinese. Worn. Chil. | Total. Chi- nese. Men. Worn. Total. Chil. Total. Ballaarat .. 29,550 21,433 18,070 23,880 12,070 12,»27 7,600 3,922 3,013 4,350 6,030 3,430 12,000,49,150 5,460 30,815 6,022'27,105 5,570133,800 5,740| 22,840 2,277 18,634 8,000:37,544 8,127 29,560 3,500 21,570 8,070 26,950 2,660l 14,730 3,160; 16,087 7,600 3,922 3,013 4,350 5,030 3,430 12,006 5,460 6,022 6,570 5,740 2,277 67,150 38,942 30,601 36,870 26,500 21,794 Castlemaine Maryboro' Ararat Sandhurst.. Beechworth Total .. 117930 27,346 37.069 182344 28,517 146441 27,345 87,075 210,861 VICTORIA. 55 Return of the amount of gold forwarded by other than the Government Escorts, from the various gold-fields. 1852 1853 1854 ozs. Name of Escort. South Australian . 230,256 94,276 Melbourne (Private) ... 900,941 395,846* New South Wales ... ... 84,346 21,066 Total 1,131,197 574,468 21,066 Note.—Particulars of Gold and Mining will be found in other parts of the work—vide contents. MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. The Chief Medical Officer has the general control and super- intendence of the lunatic asylum at Yarra Bend; the sanitary station at Point Nepean; the health officers' establishment at Queenscliffe; the immigration hospital at Batman's-hill; the provision of medical attendance, medicines, and medical com- forts for the Government immigrants and the prisoners at the gaols and lockups throughout the colony; the payment of medi- cal witnesses, in cases where persons are charged with lunacy; the execution of the provisions of the Compulsory Vaccination Act; the Central Board of Health; and the Medical Board of Vic- toria. The Chief Medical Officer is also chairman of the board appointed to administer the police reward fund; chairman of the board of visitors to the lunatic asylum; and a member of the board appointed to inspect newly-arrived immigrant The Chief Medical Officer attends the prisoners, wardens, &c., in the stockades at Pentridge and Collingwood, and the gaols and watchhouses in Melbourne; and the Government immigrants in depot or hospital at Melbourne. The prisoners confined in the penal hulks, Hobson's Bay, and watchhouses in Williamstown, are attended by the District Surgeon, Williams- town; and at Geelong, the District Surgeon attends the pri- soners in the gaols and watchhouses, the Government immi- grants, and the military. At Castlemaine, Sandhurst, Ballaarat, Beechworth, Kyneton, Ararat, Portland, Belfast, Warrnambool, and Port Albert, yearly contracts are made with resident practitioners for providing medical attendance and medicine for Government immigrants and prisoners. At other places, medical men attending prisoners are paid according to the following scale of fees, viz.:—For medical or surgical atten- dance, inclusive of all necessary medicines, within any city or township, 10s. 6d. per visit. At night double this fee. Tra- velling expenses, 10s. 6d. per mile, for each mile after the first. For minor surgical operations, £2 2s. The scale of payment * Of this amount 2,323J ounces were taken from the escort by armed bushrangers. 56 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. for capital operations to be submitted to the Chief Medical Officer. For examination of insane persons, and giving the necessary evidence and certificates, one guinea for each case; mileage at 2s. per mile. Vaccination.—Under the Act 18 Vict., No. 4, which makes compulsory the vaccination of all children within three months after birth, public vaccinators are appointed for the vaccina- tion of the children of those persons who are unable to pay, and applications for such appointments are made to the Chief Medical Officer. The fees allowed to public vaccinators by the Government are 2s. 6d. for each successful case of vaccination. The parents or guardians of children neglecting to have them vaccinated within the time stated are liable to a penalty of from two to five pounds. By the Act 21 Vict., No. 37, occu- piers of houses where any case of small-pox occurs, and medi- cal practitioners, to whose knowledge any case may come, are to report the same within twenty-four hours to the Local or Central Board of Health, under a penalty of twenty pounds. YARBA BEND LUNATIC ASYLUM. The Asylum is situated on one of the bends of the river Yarra, about four miles from Melbourne; and contained, on the 26th June, 1858, 483 patients—257 male and 176 female. The staff consists of the surgeon superintendent, a house steward and storekeeper, a dispenser, a matron, two cooks, a gardener, a carpenter, a carter, three laundresses, twenty-six male and fourteen female attendants. The Asylum was first opened in October, 1848, and at the end of that year contained only twenty patients. Since then, the number of patients has rapidly increased, the admissions during 1857 being 139. The original stone buildings were only constructed to accommodate sixty-four lunatics, but considerable additions have since been made; these additions being of a temporary nature, in conse- quence of the proposed construction of a new Asylum, on a site better adapted for the purpose than the present one. The patients are provided with many means of amusement, such as cricket, skittles, football, and other out-door games; a library; billiards, bagatelle, cards, draughts, music, &c.; and a concert is got up once a week, concluding with a dance, at which a considerable number of the patients amuse themselves. Those who are able and willing to work are also employed in various useful ways about the Asylum. The establishment is inspected each week by one of the offi- cial Visitors, and once in each month by the Board of Visitors. The Asylum is open to visitors from 10 till half-past 11 a.m. on Sundays, and from 10 to half-past 12 a.m., and from 2 to 4 p.m., on other days, subject to certain regulations. Not more than three visitors are permitted to inspect the Asylum at one time, and all visitors are to enter their names in the visitors' VICTORIA. 57 book. Visitors are not to enter into conversation with any of the patients without the sanction of the superintendent. The following are the regulations necessary to be observed in procuring the admission of patients, with the scale of charges for such as enter as pay-patients, via.:—A petition is to be signed by some relative or friend of the lunatic, and appended to a certificate of insanity, signed by two legally qualified medical practitioners. The papers are then to be sub- mitted for the approval of one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, and, when thus completed, forwarded to the Chief Medical Officer, Melbourne, from whom information can be obtained as to when the patient can be admitted into the Asylum. In the case of pay-patients, the charges for main- tenance are—1st class, £2 per week; 2nd class, 25s. per week; payable quarterly to the surgeon superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum, and a bond for the regular payment of whichever amount may be agreed upon is to be entered into by two responsible persons, and deposited with the superintendent. In the case of those patients whose friends are unable to pay for their maintenance in the Asylum, a certificate to that effect, signed by some respectable person acquainted with the circum- stances of the lunatic, is to be annexed to the petition. The forms of petition, certificate, and bond can be obtained from the Chief Medical Officer, or the Surgeon Superintendent of the Asylum. HEALTH OFFICER, QUEENSCUFFE. This officer is provided with a boat's crew of six men, and his duties are to board all vessels not intercolonial traders, arriving at the Port Phillip Heads, in order to ascertain "whether any infectious disease exists on board, or whether there is any necessity for placing the vessel in quarantine. Masters of vessels passing through the Port Phillip Heads without being first cleared by the Health Officer are liable to severe penalties tinder the quarantine laws. The average detention of each vessel whilst being "hove-to" for the Health Officer is only about thirteen minutes. SANITARY STATION, POINT NEPEAN. This station is situated at the entrance of the Port Phillip Heads,and when the new buildings, which are now in progress, are completed, will consist of five separate hospitals, each capable of accommodating one hundred patients, with the officers' quarters, &c. The staff consists of a surgeon superin- tendent, a clerk and storekeeper, a nurse, and three laborers. Vessels placed in quarantine by the Health Officer are taken within the limits of the quarantine anchorage, and have all the sick landed on the sanitary station; and, after performing the quarantine directed by the Governor in Council, and being thoroughly cleansed and fumigated, are allowed to proceed to D 3 VICTORIA. 59 (8 Vict., No. 8.), for the registration and publication of the names of legally qualified medical practitioners. The qualifications necessary to registration as a legally qua- lified medical practitioner are defined in the Acts of Council, 2 Vict., No. 22, 8 Vict. No. 8, 9 Vict. No. 12, and 17 Vict. No. 14 (Adamson, fol. 1057—61), by which it is enacted that no person shall be deemed a legally qualified medical practitioner unless he shall have proved to the satisfaction of the Medical Board that he is a doctor or bachelor of medicine of some uni- versity, or a physician or surgeon licensed and admitted as such by some college of physicians or surgeons of Great Britain or Ireland, or a member or licentiate of the company of apothe- caries in London or Dublin; or is or has been a medical officer, duly appointed and confirmed, of Her Majesty's sea or land service; and that any person desirous of being declared a legally qualified medical practitioner as aforesaid, shall submit his degree, diploma, or proof of his being so duly qualified, for the examination and approval of the said Medical Board, by whom a certificate of qualification will be granted. Graduates of foreign universities are admitted as legally qualified medical practitioners, on complying with the require- ments of the Act, 17 Vict No. 14, as follows:—The applicant must produce proof, satisfactory to the Medical Board, that he has followed a regular course of professional study in some medical or surgical school, college, or university, for at least four years, and must submit to the Board a diploma testifying to his being a graduate in medicine or surgery of some univer- sity which requires a residence of at least one year previous to graduation. The applicant must also have obtained the certi- ficate and taken the oath required to be taken by the law re- lating to aliens in this colony. (Adamson, fol. 1075., 11 Vict., No. 39.) Persons desirous of registration as legally qualified medical practitioners must, if residing within twenty-five miles of Mel- bourne, attend personally at the monthly meeting of the Medi- cal Board, which is held on the first Monday in every month, at the Medical Department in Melbourne, submitting for in- spection and approval of the Board their proofs of qualification, as above. Medical practitioners residing at a distance of more than twenty-five miles from Melbourne, can obtain registration by making personal application to the President of the Board in Melbourne, at any period during the usual hours of business, on producing the necessary proofs of qualification, and making a declaration before a magistrate, a form of which can be ob- tained on application to the secretary. A list of the names of legally qualified practitioners is pub- lished at the commencement of each year, and supplementary lists are published immediately after each meeting of the Board. GO HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. PENAL ESTABLISHMENTS. The penal department in Victoria was formed by Mr. Samuel Barrow, in July, 1850, in anticipation of the separation of the district of Port Phillip from New South Wales, prior to which all prisoners convicted in this district were forwarded to Sydney. Only one establishment (the Pentridge Stockade) was then required,of which Mr. Barrow was appointed Superintendent, but the number of prisoners so greatly increased, after the discovery of gold in Victoria, that several new establishments were formed, and Mr. Barrow was, on the 1st July, 1853, appointed Inspector-General of Penal Establishments in Victoria, which office he held until the 24th of January, 1854, when he was appointed Immigration Agent, and was succeeded by Mr. John Price, for many years previously commandant of Norfolk Island; this gentleman continued at the head of the department until the 26th of March, 1857, when he was murdered by a gang of convicts, on the works at Gellibrand's Point, and was succeeded by the present Inspector-General, Mr. William Thomas Napier Champ, formerly Chief Secretary of Van Diemen's Land, whose appointment dates from the 3rd of June, 1857. The following return, " A," shews the number of prisoners on the 30th June and 31st December in each year, together with their cost and earnings. Return "B" is a copy of one recently furnished to the Government, and shews the classification and condition of the prisoners in confinement, on the 31st of March last, who were then distributed as follows:—Pentridge Stockade, 606 males; Collingwood, S42 do.; Hulk " President," 78 do.; Hulk "Suc- cess," 90 do.; Hulk "Lysander," 19 do.; Hulk " Sacramento," 76 Females. Total, 1211. There were also 17 children on board the "Sacramento," belonging to the female prisoners. The prisoners have been employed as follows:—at Pent- ridge, in the first instance, in making the Sydney Road, be- tween Melbourne and Pentridge, and subsequently in erect- ing buildings for their own accommodation, making clothing, boots, tools, and other mechanical work. At Collingwood, in quarrying stone and breaking metal. At Richmond, in making the road from Melbourne to the Bridge, near the Yarra at Hawthorne. At the Marine Stockade, in forming the streets of Williamstown. At the hulk "Sacramento," for a short period on the Geelong and Melbourne Railway, and subse- quently, in conjunction with the prisoners from the hulk "Deborah," " Success," and " Lysander," at GeUibrand's Point, in quarrying stone, building the jetty, battery, and other works VICTORIA. 61 at that place. On board the hulk " President" the prisoners have never been sent to labor, having been retained in sepa- rate confinement, as have likewise those on board the "Success " since July 1857. All the penal prisoners whom it was deemed safe to keep at labor were transferred from the Hulks to Pentridge and Collingwood Stockades during the latter part of 1857, so that the only male prisoners now confined on board the hulks are those penal prisoners whom it is deemed unsafe to work, and the seamen committed for offences on board their vessels. At the latter end of December last, female prisoners, who had previously been confined in a most unsuitable building in Mel- hourne, were transferred, as a temporary arrangement, to the hulk "Sacramento," which had been previously vacated by the transfer of the men to Pentridge Stockade; the average number on board during the year has been 75 women and 16 children. Several serious attempts to escape have been made, none of which, however, have been successful. In September, 1853, the gang at Gellibrand's Point attempted to rush upon the guard, but were fired upon and several of them wounded, three having to submit to amputation of the leg. Again in October, 1856, a daring attempt was made by a party of ten convicts, who seized the boat in which they were being towed from the works to the hulks, and murdered two boatmen, who resisted them; three of them were subsequently convicted of the murder, but were respited in consequence of some legal informality. Then in March, 1857, the gang from the " Success " hulk set upon and murdered the Inspector-General, Mr. Price, while on the works, having forced him down a declivity where they were sheltered from the fire of the guards, they then broke their irons with the intention of escaping, but were deterred and reduced to subordination by the steadiness of the guards and police who came to their assistance: fifteen of the ringleaders in this outrage were committed for trial, of whom seven were subse- quently hung. By the regulations now in force, prisoners under sentences of less than three years are restored to freedom, if they are attentive and industrious at work, and their general conduct in confine- ment is irreproachable, when they have completed two thirds of their sentences; prisoners under longer sentences receive tickets of leave, if well conducted, when they have served one half of their sentences; these tickets of leave enable them to reside and work for their own advantage in any district in the colony they may select; but places them under the surveillance of the police, to whom they are required to report their residences. If they continue to conduct themselves properly, they are restored to freedom when they have served for a period equal to one third of the time they originally served in the gang. 9'iS 9'I9 9S i 9? 9 9 S S oo S S I i 9o 9 9 n 9 S S9 VBf\ S991 9 59 iS 9 CSE| S 9 a * i i i ES S S S S S 9 I S S S| S S SI S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S 9*9 99 Ml Sl *SS is 99l 19 S S 9 S 9 9 fi9 I 99 KS E S 9 9 a 9 S* 9 *9 9 9 9 fi 9 S £ *S S 0* 9 ' S9 ' 9 S 9 SS 9 IS e f 9 9 9 9 ' 9 S 9 S 8 S « OS 9 a s 9'9 e 9 9 S S *9 ii 0* 9 9' 9 ' 9 ' 9 S S S S 9 9 XouiuSua Stnn.Mfl 9 ' m i.ildi seSS^oij 9''ij.i Xq ASn.oi9 9° sioof) S.mrejqo UOS99J 9q) Ut9JJ 9.ip39ii S.ij&wn S<\L spy 99UP •PSs 9f -i-s ir -i-s ir i -s y 'a H" ° S*9S -999 SS99 SSS 9 S9S •• 1*9 9 - "S S •09999(9 SSSS 9-9 9'S9 |9*S !9S 999 o9* •K -K S | S ntif/9'a .i..nuoo Si3USUj ,9S OS SS 99S9 S9S SS Si 99 19S9 99 S9 9S oo 99 S 9H 9* 9 S6S fo o 99 !8S9 I 09; .io.Soo! L.I, S •S9 S S SS M Rushworth .. 1 .. 3 .. 2 Runneymede 2 .. .. Echuca 2 1 .. Kilmore District— Kilmore .. 2 1 7 1 10 Avenal .. .... 1 .. 1 Benalla 1 1 3 Euroa 1 Longwood 1 .. 2 Seymour 1 .. 1 Violet Town 1 .. 1 Mansfield 2 .. Pyalong 1 .. .. Yea „ 1 Kalkallo ." 2 1 Ovens District— Beechworth .. 2 .. 9 4 21 Belvior 1 1 1 Wangaratta 2 1 2 Eldorado 1 Woolshed 1 .. 3 Mulwala 1 •. 1 Yackandandah 2 12 Sebastopol 2 Buckland .... 1 2 .. 8 Do. Junction 2 Snake Valley 4 Allen's Flat 2 Quartz Reef 1 .. 1 Hurdle Flat 2 Three Mile 2 Reid's Creek 2 Belfast District— Belfast .. 1 .. 3 2 6 Dunkeld 2 .. .. G8 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Mount. Foot. Belfast District—continued. Warrnambool Hexham . . . Hamilton Woodford Caramut Portland District- Portland .. 1 . Casterton Balmoral Harrow Mount Alb Sale Tarraville .Mount. Foot. till 2 o «S O Gipps Land District—continued. Port Albert .... Mitchell Stratford Livingstone Creek, Omeo .. . Water Victoria Block Ship .. 4 .. .. Richmond DepCtt— Depot .. 4 2 12 Do. on sick leave 2 .. Detective Police Total .. 1 2 .. 2 .. 4 49 4 25 1 33 48 10 289 95 785 This arrangement is liable to constant change; for, as the population in the mining districts migrates from one locality to another, it becomes necessary to break up old stations and form new ones. The entire force, as at present constituted, consists of 439 married, and 788 single men. Quarters are not provided by the Government for the families of constables, except at remote stations, where it would be too expensive, and in many cases impossible, for the constables to procure the necessary accom- modation. The following table will shew the religion and countries of the constabulary:— Religion. Countries. Protestants, 708 R. Catholics, 621 Englnd. Irlnd. 871 Sctlnd. 73 Wals. 5 0. B. Dom. 14 Foreign. 8 266 The whole of the escort service of the Government is con- ducted by the police. The treasure is for the most part con- veyed in wagons manufactured for the purpose at the police depot, Richmond. These conveyances are drawn, on the principal lines of road, by four horses; and on the branch lines, light wagons, spring carts, and, in some cases, pack- horses, are used, according to the amount of treasure to be conveyed. The draught horses, conveyances, drivers, &c., as well as the guard, are supplied by the police department; and the following table wfil give an idea of the extent of the service:— DP ESCORTS. DOWN ESCORTS. Arr. a9 Mel- bourne Every Friday. S p. m. Castle- maine. Every Wedndy 9 a.m. Depart from Maryo o Sando o borough, hurst. Every i Every Tuesday Tuesday 9 a.m. 9 a.m. DunSlly. Avoca. Alternate Altfrnate Mondays Mondays 9 a.m.! 9 a.m. Black- wood. Alternate Wedndy. 9 a.m. Black- wood. Alternate T.esdays 9 ' p.m. Dunolly. Alternate Sa9urday S p.m. Arrivf at Avoca. Alternate Sa9urday 9 p.m. Mary- borouih. Every Friday i p.m. Sand- hurst. Every Friday i p.m. Castle- maine. Every Thursday i p.m. Dpt. fr- Mel- bourne Every Tusdy. 9 a.m. Arrive a9 Melbourne. Alterna9e Fridays S p.m. Arrive a9 Melbo.rne. Every Friday S p.m. Heathcotf Alterna9e Tuesdays 9 a.m. Ballaara9. Every Wednesdy. 9 a.m. Rusho o worth. Alterna9e Sa9urdays 9 a.m. Creswick. Alterna9e Tuesdays noon. DeSrt from Beech- worth. Alternate Fridays 9 a.m. DeSr9 frSm Railan. Alternate Mondays 9 a.m. Yackan- d.ndah. Alternate Wednsdy. 9 a.m. Ararat. Alternate Fridays 9 a.m. Buckland. Alternate Tuesdays 9 a.m. Pleasant Crefk. ! Al9ernate Wednsdy. 1 9 a.m. B.ckland Alternate Sat.rdays 9 ' p.m. Pleasant Creek. Alterna9e Tuesdays 9 ' p.m. Yackano o dandah. Al9ernate Thursdays i p.m. Ararat. Alterna9e Saturdays S p.m. Arrive a9 Beecho o worth. Alternate Tuesdays 9p.m. Arrive at Railan. Alterna9e Th.rsdays 9 p.m. Rusho o worth. Alterna9e Mondays 9 ' p.m. Creswick. Alternate Tuesdays noon. Heathcote Al9ernate Fridays 9 p.m. Ballaarat. Every T.esday i p.m. Depart from Melbourne. Al9ernate Tuesdays 9 a.m. DeSrt from Melbourne. Every Sat.rday 9 p.m. N.B. Thf hours of arrival mus9 of course vary with the s9ate of 9he roads' 4c. 70 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. The water police branch of the service consists of a number of officers, sergeants, and constables, under the charge of a superintendent, who is also commander of H. M. steam sloop Victoria, stationed in Hobson's Bay. The members of this branch are not only amenable to the same rules for the main- tenance of discipline, and have the same powers as the other branches of the service, but have also special powers in regard to shipping, as laid down in 16 Vict., No. 33. An officer and a detachment of water police are stationed on the block- ship, another detachment being stationed at Point Henry, Geelong. Thu detectives, although subject to the same discipline, are, to a certain extent, a distinct body of the police force; their duty being to detect crime, that of the ordinary police to prevent it. Not being in uniform, each member of the detective police is furnished with a " warrant card," signed by the head of the department, to produce when necessary as a proof of the authority under which he is acting. Detectives are stationed in each of the more important districts, and the whole body is under the control of a superintendent, whose office is in Melbourne. Appointments to this branch of the service are, for the most part, made by selecting from the "preventive" police such men as are considered best suited for detective duty; but candidates for employment, who may be found to possess the peculiar qualifications considered necessary in a detective, are occasionally appointed. Each member of the police force is furnished with a manual of instructions for his guidance, and further instructions are issued from time to time as the exigencies of the service require them. In addition to this, a small volume of extracts from such Acts of Council as confer powers upon or relate to the police, has been compiled, and a copy supplied to each member of the establishment. A Police Gazette is published every Thursday, for the pur- pose of circulating to every member of the force all infor- mation of interest to the constabulary, and is issued from the Chief Commissioner's office. It contains notices of offences committed, warrants issued, horses and cattle stolen, &c., &c. All communications relating to matters of police interest are inserted gratuitously, on being addressed to the Police Gazette Office, Melbourne. A Fund designated the Police Reward Fund has ac- cumulated under the provisions of the 13 Vict., No 32, and the 30th section of the 16 Vict., No. 24. It is, at present, administered in accordance with the regula- tions of the 29th March, 1855, published in the Government Gazette, of the 5th April following; but a scheme has been prepared for its appropriation to a pension fund, so far as the police are concerned, which scheme is under the consideration of the Government. VICTORIA. 71 Applicants for employment in the force are required to present themselves at the Police Depot, Richmond. If after an examination, they are pronounced to be adapted for the per- formance of police duties, their names are placed on the list of "candidates," and, as vacancies occur, the applicants, after having been examined by the surgeon to the force, and declared by him to be physically qualified, are employed in turn, the preference being given to such as have had previous police experience. Candidates must be able to produce certificates of good character, and must be able to read and write well. After being engaged, they are retained a few days at the depot, at Richmond, without pay. At the termination of this period, if reported suitable for the service, they are sworn in as "constables" and remain at the depot a further period, to be drilled, and instructed in the rules of the service, until they are required to fill vacancies that occur in the various districts. Until so transferred, they do not receive the full pay of constables. Note.—For Law and Police, vide contents. NAVAL. Her Majesty's Colonial Steam Sloop Victoria, 587 tons, 150 horse power, stationed in Hobson's Bay, Melbourne. Present armament on board.—One long 56 cwt. 32 pounder, pivot gun, forward; two long 25 cwt. 32 pounders, broadside guns; with small arms complete in proportion to the above complement. Is pierced and fitted for, in addition to the above.—One long 56 cwt. 32 pounder, pivot, aft; four more broadside 32 pounders of 25 cwt; having a shell room and magazine complete. Officers.—Commander, W. H. Norman; 1st officer, G. A. Woods; 2nd officer, D. D. Chambers; chief engineer, Rd. Griffiths; assistant engineer, Alfred Arnold. Warbant Officers.—Three. Ceew.—Petty officers, six; able seamen, twenty-one; fire- men, eight; boys, seven; total, fifty. The vessel was built by order of His late Excellency Sir Charles Hotham, by Messrs. Young, Son, Magnay and Co., of Limehouse, London, in 1855; and the engines by Messrs. George Rennie and Sons, under the immediate supervision of Commander Lockyer, R.N., assisted by her present com- mander, and by whom she was brought to this colony on 31st May, 1856; since which time her duties have been those of an armed despatch vessel, under the orders of the hon. the Chief Secretary, for the protection of the interests of the public, and is always kept ready for sea on telegraphic notice. Since January, 1858, in addition to continuing the above duties, the Water Police of the port having been reduced from forty-two to ten men, the remainder were transferred to 72 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. the books of the Victoria, and the duties of the bay and port continued by her officers and crew, under the orders and supervision of the Chief Commissioner of Police; and when the Victoria has to leave port, on any special service, the above ten men, with one sub-Inspector and two Serjeants, are left to continue the same on board the blockship, until her return; this number being in addition to her crew of fifty, as already stated above, does not in any way interfere with her efficiency. —For Military, ite contents. PUBLIC LTBBABT, MELBOURNE. Trustees :—The Chief Justice, Sir W. F. Stawell, Knight; the President of the Legislative Council, Sir F. Palmer, Knight; His Honor Mr. Justice Barry; H. C. E. Childers; and D. C. Macarthur. Librarian—Augustus Tulk. The Library was opened to the public on February 11th, 1856. The amount of money expended upon the buildings and grounds has been £19,400. Books :—Number of volumes, 8,500; cost of ditto, £7,500; donations of books, 500 volumes; donations of coins, 320; autograph letters, 10. The books are distributed into the following classes:—British History, 950; British Literature, 1,000; General History, 775 ; Greek and Latin Literature, 400; French and Italian, 325; Science and Physiology, 1,200; Art and Architecture, 250; Polity and Political Economy and Law, 850; Philosophy and Theology, 600; Voyages, Travels, Atlases, &c., 500; Lexicography and Education, 400; Encyclopedias and Serials, 750; Newspapers, 150; German Literature, 350; Total 8,500. (A list of works on Australasia is inserted elsewhere). Visitors :—Number of visitors, 1856 :—morning, 16,000; evening, 7,769; Total, 23,769. Number of visitors, 1857 :— morning, 25,325; evening, 23,901; Total, 49,226. During these two years the hours of admission were from 10 a.m. to 4 p m., and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The number of visitors from January 1st to May the 31st, 1858, has been:—morning, 15,128; evening, 13,173; Total, 28,301. On the 1st of January, 1858, the hours of admission were altered by order of the Trustees, and the public are now admitted from 10 a.m. to 9 P.M. Six thousand volumes are shortly expected from England, to be added to the Library. The general character of these works will be scientific, although no branch of mental development has been entirely overlooked by the Trustees in their last year's order. As the number of visitors has increased in a far greater proportion than the books, more room has been required; and to meet this demand, tenders for an extension of the buil ding have been accepted, and the south wing will VICTORIA. 73 be completed shortly, under the superintendence of the archi- tect, Mr. Joseph Reed. The respect for public order and the good conduct of the visitors have been patent from the very opening of the institution. And the very slight loss of books, either by mutilation or abstraction, amounting in all to but seven volumes, in a period of two years and a-half, has not tended to throw any slur upon the absolutely free system of admis- sion adopted by the Trustees. The public of Victoria may congratulate itself that even the exclusive ticket system of the British and other public libraries has not suceeeded so well as theirs. The only holidays are Christmas Day and Good Friday, and the days appointed for quarterly cleaning. Great credit is due to the Trustees for the zealous super- vision which has evidently been exercised in regard to the character of the editions. The appearance of the books and the superior character of their bindings are equally creditable to the London bookseller, Mr. J. J. Guillaume, of Chester- square, by whom they have been supplied. A list of works on Australasia will be found in another part of this book. THE TKEASURY. It may bo as well to explain, previous to describing the duties of the Treasury Department, that after the revenue of the year has been appropriated by the legislature for certain specific objects (by the Appropriation Act), that expenditure can, nevertheless, not take place without the authority of the Governor, which authority is issued as regards the expenditure upon each ministerial division of the service, upon the recommendation of the minister in charge of that division. The division of the Government Service of which the Treasury is the head consists of,—first, the Treasury; second, the offices of the several Receivers and Paymasters (at present twelve in number); third, the Gold office, Melbourne, and the offices of the several Gold Receivers throughout the country (sixteen in number), many of which, how- ever, are held jointly with the office of Receiver and Paymaster; fourth, the Store and Transport Department; filth, the Government Printing Office. The department of the Military (see other page), also including the several Volunteer Corps, is so far in the Treasurer's division of the service, that all applications for authority to incur expenditure out of colonial funds on account of this Department, or for the payment of the colonial allowance to Her Majesty's troops in the colony, are made to the Treasurer; and that all necessary business connected with it, requir- ing to be transacted through the office of a Responsible Minister is transacted through the Treasury. The Audit office is so far connected with the Treasury, that authori- ties for the payment of the salaries and for the appointment of the officers, proceed from the Treasury; the Commissioners of Audit E 74 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA, themselves holding office by the same terms as the judges of the Supreme Court, viz., during good behaviour. The authority of the Governor also, for all payments of grants in aid of charitable institutions and of municipalities, of sums appropriated for special purposes by Acts other than the annual Appropriation Act (e. g. for payment of the grant in aid of public worship, of pensions, &c), is obtained by the Treasurer, to whom, therefore, all applications for such payments should be addressed. The TreasuryDepartment, previous to the introduction of Responsible Government in November, 1855, was the same in fact, or very nearly so, as that of the Melbourne Receiver and Paymaster at present. The only essential difference arose from the number of Sub-Treasurers being at that time limited to three (Geelong, Portland and Belfast), and also from the fact that accounts for payment at a Sub-Treasury were then not forwarded through the Melbourne office. Again, previously to 1856, the accounts of the colony were kept in the office of the Auditor-general, to which office all accounts for payment had to be transmitted in the first instance, for examina- tion; if found correct, they were then forwarded by the Auditor- general to the Treasury for payment, the Governor's warrant to the Treasurer authorizing payment being first obtained by the Auditor- general. Previous to the year 1856, the Governor's authority for all expendi- ture, for all appointments, or changes in appointments. &c, had to be obtained from the Governor through the office of the Chief Secretary, which formed, moreover, in other respects the channel of communica- tion between the Governor and the several Departments, and also between the Governor and the public, respecting the general business of the Government. On the introduction of Responsible Government, however, the super- vision previously directly exercised by the Governor through the office of the Chief Secretary over the several Departments forming the Civil Service was transferred to the six ministerial officers (the Law Officers being considered as one), and the business formerly transacted through the Chief Secretary's office was therefore divided between the six minis- terial Departments, to each of which a number of the other Depart- ments was therefore attached with a view to this division. In the division thus made, the Post-office, at that time without a separate ministerial head, was placed under the Treasurer; the Mili- tary, and the Audit Departments, on the other hand, remained attached to the Chief Secretary's Department. In the commencement of 1856, a new system of keeping the public accounts was introduced (on the recommendation of a commission which had been appointed by Sir C. Hotham, to inquire into and report upon the financial administration of the colony), under which the keeping of the public "books" was transferred from the Audit Office to the Treasury, and the present mode of making pavment of accounts previous to final audit was introduced. A large portion of the duties which had hitherto devolved on the Audit office was by this means transferred to the Treasury. The Treasurer, however, during this year continued to perform the duties of receiving and disbursing the public moneys as before, assisted by the establishment of, in April, 1856, six Sub-Treasuries at the several gold fields. In the early part of 1857, a further change in the constitution of the Treasury (proper) was effected by transferring the duties of the VICTORIA. 75 receipt of revenue and the payment of accounts to a separate office, called that of " Receiver and Paymaster of the Treasury." In this year also, the Post office Department was placed under a separate ministerial head, while the Audit Department towards the end of the year was reconstituted and placed upon its present footing. The constitution of the ministerial office of the Treasurer has not been since altered, although the mode of payment of accounts, and of accountingS for the receipt and payment of accounts (established on the report of Sir C. Hotham's finance committee), has been this year considerably modified, and the system, as amended, very strin- gently prescribed by the Audit Act. The Treasury is now divided into three branches, viz.: — the Accountant's branch, where the books of the colony are kept; the Examination branch, in which accounts against the Government are branch, the duties of which involve not only correspondence and the record of correspondence, but the record of parliamentary documents, the preparation and record of authorities for expenditure issued by the Treasurer as a ministerial officer; the compilation of returns, and in part, the transaction of such business as falls to the Treasurer in his capacity of ministerial officer in charge of the Treasury Division, apart from that which belongs to his office of General Accountant. The whole is presided over by an officer called the Under-Treasurer, who acts as the permanent head of the Treasury division, and as such carries on the routine of the office, subject to the supervision of the ministerial head, the Treasurer. The object of this work being the guidance and information of the public in general, and not that of the Government staff, it is not necessary to explain the present system of accounts or the business of the office, except in so far as the public are affected in their trans- actions with the Treasury. It will be sufficient, therefore, to explain that under this system the Treasurer has no power to pay or receive any portion of the public moneys himself. All he can do is to obtain orders upon the Banks, where the public receipts are lodged, to honor the cheques of the ^Receivers and Paymasters, for such and such particular accounts forwarded to them from the Treasury for payment. These orders the Banks cannot honor unless they are countersigned by the Commis- sioners of Audit, and the Commissioners of Audit cannot countersign them unless the accounts specified therein are within, or not in excess, of the sums voted by the Legislature; and unless the expenditure to be defrayed is legally incurred, that is, has been approved by the Legislature. On an account reaching the Treasury it is examined, with a view to ascertaining, first, that the expenditure has been duly authorised j second, that it has been duly certified by the officer by whom, or for whose Department the expenditure was incurred. Should the account be correct in these points, and no inaccuracy or imperfection be otherwise observed, it is then forwarded to the proper pay-office, the requisite steps being at the same time taken, as above mentioned, to cause the Paymaster's cheque in payment to be honored by the Bank. Should the account be correct it will, in ordinary cases, be forwarded to the pay-office for payment, within twenty-four hours of its reaching the Treasury. If the account be incorrect in any important particular it is impossible to state what and the Correspondence or Keeord E 2 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. consequent delay may be produced in obtaining payment; but the delay will not in that case be attributable to the Treasurer; and it is therefore well for claimants on the Government to bear in mind that the officer by whom any expense is incurred, is responsible for the proper obtaining of authority to incur that expense previously to incur- ring it, and for the proper completion in every respect, of the account for its payment. Claimants should, therefore, in all cases of delay, address themselves on the subject to the officer by whom the expendi- ture has been incurred, or to his ministerial head. Accounts are forwarded for payment at the Melbourne pay-office unless directions are given on the face of the account for payment to be made at some other pay-office. Claimants, therefore, wishing to receive payments at any other pay-office, should write the words "payable at (naming the place)," distinctly on the face of their accounts. An account once passed to a particular pay-office cannot be transferred to any other. Accounts are payable either to the claimant himself, or to anyone producing from the claimant an order for payment to be made to him; such order should be in either of the two printed forms, one being for payment to be made to the agent only, and the other payment either to the agent or to any one to whom he may transfer the order. In either case the amount to be paid must be written in words, not in figures, and the signature of the agent must be written previous to the presentation of the order to the Receiver and Paymaster. LICENSES, &c. The descriptions of licenses undermentioned are obtainable at the several receipt and pay-offices as explained in each case :— Publican's General License.—This licence is obtainable under Act 13 Vict. No. 29, upon production of a certificate from the licensing Bench of the district authorising the issue, and the payment of £25; applications for certificates can be entertained by the Benches of Ma- gistrates on the annual licensing day, viz :—the third Tuesday in April, or on the first Tuesday in September, December, and March. The licenses must be taken out previous to 30th June, if the certificate has been obtained upon the general licensing day in April, or within a month of the date of the certificate, should it have been obtained on one of the other days above mentioned. The Governor has power, however, to direct a license to be issued in any case, notwithstanding the prescribed period shall have elapsed on payment of a fine (in addition to the regular fee) not exceeding £10 in amount, and pro- vided that the fee and additional fine be paid within a further period of twenty-eight days. Memorials to His Excellency for this purpose should be forwarded to the Treasury under cover to the Treasurer. The Governor can in cases of emergency issue a renewed publican's license without a certificate from the licensing bench; memorials for this purpose must also be forwarded to the Treasury under cover to the Treasurer. Confectioners9 Licenses.—The fee is £1. A certificate from the Bench must be produced, and the license is subject otherwise to the conditions above stated. Packet Licenses are issuable by Receivers and Paymasters, under the Act 13 Vict., No. 29, and are for the sale of liquors on board vessels, a certificate from a Bench of Magistrates must be presented when applying f°r a license, and the conditions as to time of payment are the same as in the case of a publican's general license; the fee is £2. VICTORIA. 77 Distillers9 Licenses.—The following distillers' licenses are obtain- able at the offices of the Receivers and Paymasters under the Act 13., Vic. No. 27. An apothecary's license for keeping a still of not more than eight gallons, contents for medicinal purposes, fee £2; a scien- tific license for scientific purposes, or for the distillation of perfumes, content not to exceed eight gallons, the fee £2 ; and a license for the distillation of brandy, for the manufacture of wine from the produce of a vineyard belonging to the licensee, the still not to exceed 50 fallons in content, nor to be less than 25 gallons, the fee is £1. 'revious to obtaining one of either of the above descriptions of licenses, a recognizance must be entered into by the applicant, with two sureties in the sum of two hundred pounds, conditional that he will not make use of his still for other purposes than that for which the license is granted. District Publicans' License.—This license is only obtainable in districts which have been specially proclaimed as subject to the Act 16 Vic., No. 35. The license will be issued by the Receiver and Paymaster of the district, upon payment of a fee o :£25, and the presentation within 14 days of Us date, of the certificate of the Bench authorising the issue. Refreshment Licenses are issuable also under the same Act, and are subject to the same conditions as the publicans' license; the fee is £1. They can be issued also by the Clerks of Petty Sessions. Auctioneers' Licenses.—These are issuable by Receivers and Pay- masters on payment of a fee of £25, and the presentation of a certifi- cate from the Bench.—See Act 18 Vic. No. 23. The annual meeting for the issue of these certificates is held in November, but the Governor has power to direct a special meeting of the magistrates of any court of Petty Sessions to be held at any time. Applications for such authority must be made to His Excellency, under cover to the Treasurer. The licenses issuable under the Act are of two descrip- tions, general and district. The general are applicable to the whole colony, but the district to the police district for which the certificate is issued only. The fee in either case is £25, but at the annual meeting the Benches of Melbourne and Geelong only are empowered to grant certificates for general licenses, although the Governor can specially empower any Bench to entertain an application for a general license. Wholesale Spirit Merchants' and Brewers' Licenses.—These are issuable by Receivers and Paymasters on presentation of a certificate from the Clerk to the Bench of the district for which the license is sought, that the applicant has registered himself as a wholesale spirit merchant (or brewer as the case may be). The fee is £25 for a wholesale spirit merchant's license, and £10 for a brewer's for the whole year, or a proportionate sum in either case, for the rest of the year after the date of registration. Vendors of imported malt liquor or wines are included in or under the designation of "wholesale spirit merchants," and vendors of colonial malt liquor or wines under that of " brewers." The same license will serve for more than one place of business in the same town or district, but not for one in one town or district and another in another. Deeds of Crown Lands are forwarded from the Survey Office when prepared, direct to the Receiver and Paymaster of the district in which the land has been sold; they will, however, upon application to the Treasurer, be transferred to any other receipt and pay-office for issue, which the grantee may desire. The fees chargeable on the issue of deeds 78 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. are as follows:—For land not exceeding 50 acres, £1; more than 50 and not exceeding 300, £ I 5s.; 300 and upwards, £1 10s. Double fees are chargeable when the deed has been above-a year in the office of a Receiver and Paymaster unissued. Naturalization Certificates are prepared in the office of the Chief Secretary, to whom application should be made for any information which may be required concerning them. They are issued by Receivers and Paymasters on payment of a fee of £1 is. Purchase of Land.—\ deposit of not less than 10 per cent, on the purchase money must be paid at the sale, to the officer conducting it, the balance must be paid to the Receiver and Paymaster of the district, (unless arrangements have been made for payment, within the pre- scribed time, to the officer conducting the sale) within one month of the sale, on penalty of the land and the deposit being forfeited. Selection of Lands.—Lands advertised as open for purchase by selection, may be purchased at the office of a Receiver and Paymaster. Payment of the full price advertised must be made when applying to be permitted to purchase, but the amount will only be received con- ditionally on the selection being ultimately allowed by the Governor in Council. Should the selection be disallowed the money will, on application, be returned to the person paying. Depasture Licenses.—The fees due from the occupants of Crown lands are advertised at the commencement of each year, and must be paid (at the office of any Receiver and Paymaster, before the termina- tion of the month of March. If payment be not made, a fine of 25 per cent, upon the original amount is charged, and if payment be further delayed beyond a period of sixty days, the Crown can enter upon possession of the runs. Applications relative to the amount of the fee must be addressed to the President of the Board of Land and Works, the Treasury being concerned in the collection only. Assessment on Stock,—This tax is payable also to any Receiver and Paymaster, the amount payable by each occupant of Crown lands being gazetted. One moiety must be paid by the end of May, the other by the end of November. Should payment not be tendered till after the above dates, an additional payment of one-ninth the original amount must be made. Should more than one month have elapsed, two-ninths become payable. In the event of payment being delayed more than two months the Act empowers the Governor in Council to direct that the amount already due, with a further sum equal to one-ninth the original amount, be levied upon the stock. Trust and Suitors" Fund.—Under the Audit Act, moneys held in trust by Public Officers (by virtue of their offices) for others, and moneys paid into court are paid into the Treasury (i.e. to the Receiver and Paymaster). Receivers and Paymasters, however, are furnished with advances to enable them to make immediate repayment of all such sums upon application, and the officer by whom the money has been paid in is required to prepare and certify to an account for the claimant to present at the pay-office. Paymasters and Receivers cannot make payment of any accounts with the exception of the above, unless such accounts shall have been transmitted to them for the purpose from the Treasury. The duties of the Receivers and Paymasters of the Treasury are ex- plained above ; there are at present twelve of these officers. At the gold-fields, the Receivers and Paymasters also hold the office of Gold-Receiver. VICTORIA. 79 GOLD-OFFICE, MELBOURNE. The business of the Gold-office, Melbourne, consists in the receipt of gold transmitted to Melbourne from the several gold-fields, and the issue thereof to the several owners; also in the receipt of cash and bank notes, &c., for despatch per escort to the several gold-fields (see Brad~ show's Guide, page 12.) No charge is made for the transmission of gold to Melbourne if the export duty be paid upon it, otherwise a charge of one shilling per ounce from Beechworth and six-pence per ounce from the other gold-fields is made. The hours for obtaining gold from the gold-office, are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., except on Saturday, Note.—Particulars of Gold and Mining will be found in other parts of this work, vide Content9. The duties of gold receivers at the gold-fields, include also that of the charge of gold on deposit, i.e. not for transmission to Melbourne, but deposited in the gold-office for safe custody. In some of the minor offices, however, gold is received for transmission by escort only, .when the hours are from 10 to 12. The Export Duty is payable at the Custom House. POTTNDS. The form of notice respecting the payment of claims for the proceeds of impounded cattle was issued from the Treasury on 24th April, 1857, and will furnish the public with all necessary information on the subject. The account, when prepared as therein directed, must be forwarded to the Treasury. AUDIT DEPARTMENT. The Audit department has little connexion with the public. The duties of the office may be stated briefly to consist in the auditing of all accounts for expenditure after payment, and in auditing the accounts of the several Collectors and Receivers of revenue oi public moneys. The Commissioners make periodic tours of inspection and report annually to the Legislature. The issue of the public stores is also audited by them. There are three Commissioners, viz.—Messrs. C. H. Symonds, F. Jones, and A. J. Agg, whose term of office is secured by the Audit Act, on the same footing as that of the judges—viz., during good behaviour. The business of the office is conducted by a staff, consisting, besides the commissioners, of a secretary and several clerks. As stated previously, the duties of this office formerly included many of those which are now performed by the Treasurer.; new duties having de- volved upon the Audit oflice. Statement shewing the receipts and disbursements at the Public Treasury during the years from 1st July, 1851, to 30th June, 1858 inclusive. Treasury receipts—1851, £316,532 8s. 10d.; 1852, £1,634,447 lis. 2d.; 1853, £3,235,546 4s. 0d.; 1854, £3,088,063 19s. 4d.; 1855, £2,700.888 7s. 10d.; 1856, £2,973,472 16s. 5d.; 1857, £3,308,589 16s. 9d.; to 30th June, 1858, £1,841,046 17s. 7d. Treasury disbursements—1851, £21.1,425 10s. 8d.; 1852, £978.237 lis. Id.; 1853, £3,213,580 0s. 6d.; 1854, £4,147,001 Is. 8d.; 1855, £2,637,053 16s. 10d.; 1856, £2,664,843 4s. 6d.; 1857, 2,596,689 15s. 5d.; to 30th June, 1858, £1,805,865 10s. Od. A few liabilities amounting to about £1,200 are still outstanding on account of 1856. Further receipts to the amount of, say £28,000, may be expected on account of 1857,and the liabilities still outstanding on account of the ame year, may be taken at £567,000. 80 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. GOVERNMENT STORES. In 1851 the business of this department was conducted in the Audit office, under the supervision of the Auditor General. In 1852, a dis- tinct office was established in the old Supreme Court building, in King9 street, at the corner of Bourke-street west; in the same year, Mr. L. Gilles was appointed the first Colonial Storekeeper, and on being- re- moved to the office of Chief Clerk in the Colonial Secretary's office, he was succeeded by Mr. Charles Holmer, who held the office until the organisation of the Civil Commissariat, in October, 1853, by Mr. !L. A. Moody; branches of which establishment were formed at Geelong, Portland, Belfast, and each of the principal gold-fields. In 1854 the old offices were destroyed by fire, the Civil Commissariat was abolished by the late Sir Charles Hotham, and the department re-constructed by Mr. Alfred J. Agg, in February, 1855, who was afterwards removed to the office of Under Treasurer in February, 1857; and succeeded by the present Government Storekeeper, Mr. R. Nash. The offices are held on the site where the department was first established, in a very sub- stantial, convenient, and elegant stone building. It is the business of the Government Storekeeper to enter into contracts for the supply of stores, provisions, forage, and transport for the Government service, and make supplies to all departments in accordance with a very satis- factory code of regulations promulgated by an Order in Council for the management of this branch of the public service. Payments are made (as the case may be) through the Treasury, Melbourne, the Government Storekeeper, or the sub-Treasurer of the district where the expenditure may have been incurred. The office is placed under the ministerial direction of the Hon. the Treasurer. Statement of the expenditure for supplies through the store and! transport department during the undermentioned periods:— 1851, £7,975 19s. 5d., From the separation of New South Wales, 1st. July; 1852, £58,071 17s.; 1853, £266,749 10s.; 1854, £592,525 7s.; 1855, £187,138 4s.; 1856, £151,016 lis. Id.; 1857, £149,647 4s. 5d.; 1858, £90,149 10s. 6d, to 30th June. Total, £1,510,274 4s. 3d* GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. This department was formed for the purpose of enabling the Government to print the whole of the numerous documents required for the legislature, and by the various branches of the Public Service, and was founded in the month of November, 1851. Operations were at first commenced in a portion of the Audit office, in Lonsdale-st. west, but from the confined nature of the building, further accommodation soon became indispensable. In February, 1853, the office was removed to more extensive premises, being those at present occupied as the offices of the Central Road Board, but these also were shortly found to be inadequate to the increasing requirements of the service. In May, 1853, a large wooden building was erected, adjoining the Government offices in William-street, for the purposes of a ball to be given by Lieutenant Governor LaTrobe in honor of Her Majesty's birth-day. Immediately after the ball, Mr. John Ferres, the Govern- ment Printer, applied to the Government to allow the building to • The cost of the establishment In the year 1854, for salaries and allow- ances was £30,512 14s. 6d.; whilst it is estimated that £6,050 will cover the expenses of the present year. VICTORIA. 81 remain, and to have it fitted up, and the whole appropriated to the Printing Department. The application was acceded to; instructions were given to proceed with alterations, and the compositors and press- men commenced working in the new building on 14th July, 1853. In 1854 it was deemed necessary, by the Government, to establish a book-binding branch in connection with the printing office, and under the control of the Government Printer. To accommodate this branch, a building was erected adjoining the printing office, in which the binding was executed, until the erection of the present offices. The wooden building in William-street (since demolished) having become very dilapidated, and not being of sufficient extent to meet the still increasing demands upon the department, the present spacious building was commenced in November, 1856, and taken possession of by the Government Printer and his staff, at the latter end of May, 1858. It is situated in the reserve in which it is intended to erect the whole of the Government offices, and in the vicinity of the Houses of Parliament, Spring-street, Melbourne. On the formation of the office in 1851, the amount of material was very limited, consisting of a small fount of long primer type and two inferior presses; the number of hands employed being only six. In 1853 large additions were made to the number of workmen em- ployed. The material was also considerably increased and included one of Napier's perfecting printing machines, capable of throwing off from 1,000 to 1,200 copies per hour. This machine was driven by a fly-wheel worked by two men. In 1855 two additional machines were obtained, steam-power being applied to the three. Another machine has since been added, and the whole are now worked by a four-horse power table engine. There are also nine hand-presses in the office. The number of hands employed during the present year has averaged 86 in the printing department, and 24 in the binding branch, the whole being under the control of the Government Printer, assisted by three clerks and four overseers. The Treasurer is the official head of the establishment. TEADE, CUSTOMS, SHIPPING, &c. The various departments over which the Commissioner of Trade and Customs has control are as follow :—Customs, Im- migration, Ports and Harbors, Lighthouses, Steam Navigation Board, Pilot Board, Distilleries, Powder Magazines, Shipping Masters, and Registrar of Shipping; and it is with subjects connected with the administration of these departments that he has to deal. The duties of the Customs Department are denned by "the Customs Act, 1857," 21 Victoria, No. 13; and it is entrusted with the responsibility of collecting all the duties imposed under the following Acts :—Tariff, 18 Vic., No. 9; Gold, 18 Vic., No. 27; Tonnage, 17 Vic. No. 18; Pilotage, 17 Vic, No. 28; Passenger Rate, 16 Vic. No. 5; and Opium, 21 Vic., No. 7. The amounts collected during the past six years are set forth in the accompanying table:— E 3 VICTORIA. S3 These are all sources of public revenue of Victoria, with the exception of the pilot dues, which are distributed by the Pilot Board appointed under the 17 Vic., No. 28, to the various pilots according to their earnings. Of the whole revenues of the colony, upwards of one half is collected by this depart- ment, the cost of collection being a little over four per cent. A return of the value of imports during the period from 1852 to 1857 is given below, together with the exports, specifying the two principal articles :— Tears. Total Imports. Wool. 1852 .. 4,069,742 .. 1,062,787 . 1853 .. 15,842,637 .. 1,651,871 . 1854 .. 17,742,998 .. 1,629,934 .. 1855 .. 11,568,904 .. 1,390,021 . 1856 .. 14,962,269 .. 1,506,613 . X857 .. 17,256,209 .. 1,335,642 . TOTAL EXPORTS. Gold. £ 6,135,728 8,644,529 8,255,5.30 . 10,903,645 11.943,458 10,987,591 3 1 Other Articles. £ 253,034 .. 765,143 Total Exports. £ 7,451,549 11,061,543 1,901,742 .. 11,787,226 . 1,174,928 .. 13,469,194 . 2,039,689 .. 15,489,760 . 2,756,279 .. 15,079,512 ^These several returns will illustrate the immense progress made by this colony during the past six years, a growth w hich is un- precedented in any other quarter of the globe. Gold forms the chief article of export, being about two-thirds of the whole. The principal articles of import are the following :—Apparel and slops, beer and cider, flour and bread, grain, haberdashery, hardware, leather, timber, spirits and wine. The following will shew the comparative declared value of the imports into Victoria in the years 1851 and 1857, from all parts of the world:— From British Colonies. From United States. From Foreign States. Year. From Unitd Kingdom. North America Other British Possessns. Total. £ £ 13,111 £ £ £ £ 1851 1857 748,984 10,122,201 239,344 5,588,730 122 782,840 67,987 749,321 1,056,437 17,256,209 The total amount of the imports during the seven years was £82,499,196. It is to be observed that a considerable differ- ence prevails between the statement of the declared or esti- mated value of the exports from the mother country in the official returns printed in England and in Victoria: in the latter they are estimated at their value on the spot, after the cost of transmission and all other charges have been added ; in the former only at their value at the time of shipment. In the year 1853, the imports were from the respective HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. countries as follows:—From Great Britain, £8,288,226; from the West Indies, £14,973; from North America, £13,560 ; from other British Possessions, £5,036,311; from the United States of America, £1,668,606; from foreign States, £820,961 ; total, £15,842,637. In 1857, the imports were as follows:— from Great Britain, £10,122,201; from the British West Indies, nil; from British North America, £13,111; from other British Possessions, £5,588,730; from the United States of America, £784,643; from foreign States, £747,524: total, £17,256,209. We now direct the readers attention to particular articles, and shall commence with flour. In 1853, the values of our imports of flour and other bread stuffs were in the following proportions:—Prom Great Britain, £162,159; from the West Indies and British North America, £1,006; from other British Possessions, almost wholly, of course, from the neighbouring col- onies, £421,171; from the United States, £319,419; from foreign States, £42,346: total, £946,101. In 1857, the amounts were: from Great Britain, £23,837; from West Indies and British North America, nil; from other British Possessions, £812,402; from the United States, £68,178; from foreign States, £43,444; total, £937,861. In 1857, of the total quantity of breadstuffs, valued at about £2,01)0,000, consumed by this population, the amount imported from beyond the Australian colonies, was only to the value of £125,459. For the purposes of the Department there are only six ports of " entry and clearance" at which customs duties are collected, viz.:—Melbourne, Geelong, Portland, Port Fairy, Port Albert, and Warrnambool; but duties are collected by the South Australian Government at Goolwa (situated at the mouth of the River Murray) on goods imported into Victoria via the river Murray, the tariff which has been adopted by special arrangement between the three Governments concerned, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, being that of the first mentioned. The arrangements are carried out under legal enactments of these colonies, and the amount of duties so collected is at present divided equally between the colonies of New South Wales and Victoria, irrespective of the quanti- ties of goods landed in either colony. Every port has its "Collector of Customs," each of whom is responsible at his own port to carry out the Customs Laws, subordinate, however, to the Commissioner of Trade and Cus- toms. It may be stated, however, that of the total amount of duties, about 82 per cent, is collected at Melbourne, 14 per cent, at Geelong, the remainder being collected at the other ports before enumerated. The Customs Department was up to the year 1852 under the control of the Lords of the Treasury in London, but though the officers were accountable to the Treasury, the revenue collected formed a portion of that of the colony. In addition to the local Acts, this department is entrusted VICTORIA. 85 with the administration of the Imperial "Merchant Shipping Act, 1854"; and Imperial " Passengers' Act, 1855." SHIPPING. The following is a return showing the number of vessels and their tonnage, which have arrived in and departed from "Victoria, during the period 1852-7, distinguishing their respective countries:— VESSELS INWARDS. Great. Britain Brit. Poss. Untd. States. For. States. Total. No. Tons. No. Tons. No. Tons. No. Tons. No.Tons. 1852.. 261 168,919. .1364 225,446.. 13 5,820.. 29 8,031..1657 408,216 1853.. 630 284,719..1740 351,066..119 53,988..105 31,700. .2594 721,473 1854.. 650 349,342..1715 353,410.. 78 40,206.. 153 51,646..2596 794,604 1855.. 274 207,800. .1443 274,180.. 60 27,173. .13i 39,223. .1897 648,376 1856.. 214 197,033..1552 274,794.. 55 35,328.. 99 31,454..1920 538,609 1857.. 307 290,680..1758 330,594.. 50 36,841.. 75 36,449..2190 694,564 VESSELS OUTWARDS. 1852.. 68 36,936..1365 286,163.. 1* 222.. 41 26,975..1475 360,296 1853.. 94 61,321..1922 471,817.. 3 2,105..249 129,624 . 2268 664,867 1854.. 86 66,876. .2082 632,133.. 12 4,137. .427 195,691. .2607 798,837 1855.. 81 66,711. .1637 371,820.. 9 2,439. .205 140,208. .1992 581,178 1856.. 65 57,037..1705 384,489.. 4 1,049..185 95,787..1959 538,362 1857.. 64 64 717..1879 426,854.. 3 1,224 261 191,731. .2207 684,526 * South Sea Islands. The number of ships and vessels entered inwards at the Custom House in Victoria in 1851 was 710; in 1857 it was 2,190. The tonnage in 1851 was 128,959 tons; in 1857, 694,564 tons. The number of men in 1851 was 7,735; in 1857, 34,777. The increase in the number of vessels has conse- quently been 208 per cent., of tonnage 438 per cent., and of hands employed 349 per cent. The departures in 1851 com- prised 657 vessels of all classes, having a total tonnage of 110,659 tons. In the year 1857 the number cleared outwards at the various custom houses in Victoria was 2,207, with a tonnage of 684,826, manned by 33,928 hands. PORTS AND HARBORS. The seaboard of Victoria embraces a range of about six hun- dred miles, the ports, harbors, rivers, bays, inlets and anchor- ages within which are under the care of the officers attached to the above department; the principal (the Chief Harbor Master) being stationed at Williamstown, from whence, by means of the electric telegraph, communication is now held with all the Western Ports; and in the event of wreck on the coast, or neighbourhood (now happily of rare occurrence), arrangements are made to send assistance either by despatching a Government or other vessel, as the case may demand. To the Harbor Department is entrusted the supervision of the movements, berthing at wharves, moorings and safety of all 80 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. vessels; the removal of sunken wrecks and other obstructions likely to impede free navigation; the enforcement of the harbor regulations within the limits of the various ports; also the charge, maintenance and supervision of all lighthouses, lightships and signal stations; the construction and placing of all beacons, buoys and moorings. The officers and men immediately attached to the Harbor Department consist of one chief and six harbor masters, four cleiks, four principal and ten assistant lighthouse keepers, three masters, three mates, and twelve seamen on board the lightships; one master, one mate, and seven seamen on board the buoy and lighthouse tender "Empire;" one superinten- dent and ten mechanics engaged in the marine yard, making and repairing buoys, beacons, boats, Government vessels, lighthouse apparatus, &c. The expense of the Department is borne out of the general revenue, by an annual vote of the Legislature. The waters of Port Phillip Bay spread over a surface of upwards of eight hundred square miles, three-fourths of which are available for anchorage, the depth nowhere inside the lighthouses exceeding fifteen fathoms. Hobson's Bay is capable of affording shelter to upwards of eight hundred sail. The holding ground is excellent: the depth from three to four fathoms, over a bottom of stiff clay and mud. The Harbor Dues consist of a tonnage rate of one shilling per ton levied upon all vessels arriving in any port. No vessel pays this duty more than once in six months: these dues are collected at the respective Custom Houses, and paid into the general revenue. The appointment of pilots for Port Phillip, establishment of rates of pilotage, and general management of the pilot service, is entrusted by Act of Council to a Board, consisting of five members; the head office is at Williamstown. The expenses of the Pilot Department up to 1st September, 1834, was borne out of the general revenue by a vote of the Legislature, but since that period it has been self-supporting, and has now a reserve fund for sick and superannuation purposes. The staff consists of a secretary, thirty-seven pilots, all men of tried skill, who have safely piloted thousands of British and foreign vessels, comprising in their numbers the most noted and far- famed ships, both steam and sailing, afloat. Three excellent well appointed vessels cruise at all times, and in all weathers, outside Port Phillip Heads. Pilots are also appointed at all other ports within the colony. In addition to the regular licensed pilots, the Pilot Board grant licenses to skilled ship masters to pilot their own vessels when engaged in the colonial and coasting trades free of pilotage ; these now number 510. The rates of Pilotage for the ports are collected at the Custom House, and transmitted monthly to the Pilot Board, for distri- VICTORIA. 87 bution. A new code of rates was issued on 10th of August, 1858; and will be found in Bradshaw's Guide to Victoria. Sailing directions for the various ports have been prepared by the Harbor Department and transmitted to all maritime countries, the Governments of which have, in many instances, republished them in their own language. Flagstaff's are erected at all ports and lighthouses in Vic- toria; and as the electric telegraph is in full operation between Melbourne and all the Western Poi ts, namely, Portland Bay, Belfast, and Warrnambool, vessels detained on the coast, by light or contrary winds, might, when standing in shore, be reported by shewing their numbers, &c. The Steam Navigation Board consists of five members, to whom are entrusted the licensing and supervision of all steam- vessels plying to and from the colony: those now under their control, number fifty-two. The Board's Officers, namely, one inspector and one en- gineer, are constantly employed examining the machinery, hulls, lights, life-boats, life-buoys, and other appointments required by the Act of Council, No. 16 Vic., No. 25; and to the vigilant supervision so exercised may safely be attributed the few casualties that have been experienced from defective ma- chinery within the colony. As before remarked, Melbourne being the port where the greatest portion of the trade of Victoria concentrates, the amount of shipping arriving there is correspondingly large. At Geelong, some few ships arrive direct from England, but owing to the existence of a bar which prevents vessels of any great tonnage coming up to the town, this port has not pro- gressed in the same proportion as Melbourne. This bar is now, however, being removed, so that it may be expected that the importance of Geelong will increase. The trade of the other ports is confined to the coasting vessels, which convey supplies from, and wool and agricultural produce to, Melbourne. At Melbourne, a Government Shipping Master is appointed to see that all seamen are properly engaged and discharged; that the wages due to them are paid; to inquire into and adjust differences between masters of vessels and their crews; to take care that proper medical treatment is administered to sick seamen; and to take charge of the effects of deceased seamen. In Geelong, the harbor master, and at the other ports the collector of customs, performs these duties. At Melbourne, during the year ending 31st May, 1858, the num- ber of sailors engaged was 6,965; discharged, 4,284. Wages paid, £63,168; advances, £30,240. About eighty beds are appropriated for sick sailors in the Melbourne Hospital. The Bethel or Seamen's Floating Church is anchored in Hobson's Bay. A Sailors' Home, for seamen of all nations, is about to be established at the port of Melbourne. VICTORIA. SO at the mast-head. Steamers, red flag; if more than one, the number hoisted underneath. Tidal signals, hoisted at western yard-arm. Communications to ships, eastern yard-arm. Tidal Signals, Geelong Bar.—One blue flag, 10 ft. One ball, 10£ ft. One ball, with blue flag over, 11 ft. One ball, blue flag under, 11£ ft. Two balls, 12 ft. Two balls, with blue flag under, 12| ft. Two balls, with blue flag over, 13 ft. Two balls, red flag under, 13J ft. Two balls, red flag over, 14 ft. Two balls, red flag between, 14.V ft. One red flag, 15 ft. Tidal Signals, Point Lonsdale.—Blue flag, half-mast, flood, 1st quarter. Blue flag, mast-head, flood, 2nd quarter. Red flag, half-mast, flood, 3rd quarter. Red flag, mast-head, flood, last quarter. Blue flag, half-mast, with ball under, ebb, 1st quarter. Blue flag, mast head, ball under, ebb, 2nd quarter. Red flag, half -mast, with ball under, ebb, 3rd quarter. Bed flag, mast-head, with ball under, ebb, last quarter. Tidal Signals, Port Albert.—One black ball, 8 ft. One red flag, 9 ft. One white flag, 10 ft. One ball, with white flag over, lift. Two balls, 12feet. Two balls, with white flag under, 13 ft. The new commercial code of signals for the use of all nations is (in addition to Marryatt's signals) in use at all the signal-stations within Victoria. IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT. The business of the Immigration Department comprises :— (1.) The introduction and distribution of Government Immigrants. (2.) The protection of passengers arriving at, and departing from, the Colony by sea. There are no records existing in the country which throw any light on the subject of Immigration prior to 1844, in which year the total number of arrivals was 2,648, while in the fourteen months ending 2nd March, 1851, the number had increased to 10,700. Subsequent returns show the arrivals in each year to have been as follows :—In 1852, 94,664 persons; 1853, 92,312; 1854, 83,410; 1855, 66,571; 1856, 41,594; 1857, 63,260. Many of these arrivals, however, having by their industry acquired an independence, or a sufficiency of means to enable them to return to their native lands, or having been induced by various considerations to remove to other parts of Australia, a deduction must be made for the loss, which amounted in the year 1851 to 2,962 persons; 1852, to 31,038; 1853, to 42,443; and in the four years ending December, 1857, to 102,974 persons. Government Immigration was, until 1857, maintained by funds appropriated under an' Act of the Imperial Parlia- 90 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. ment, which provided that half the proceeds of the sales of land should be expended in the introduction of labor. Since the commencement of 1857, the amount to be expended in the importation of Government Immigrants has been voted by the Legislative Assembly. The number of Government Immigrants introduced, from the separation of the Colony from New South Wales on 1st July 1851 to the 31st December 1857, is as follows:— Period. Male. July to December, 1851 1,082 During 1852 .. .. 7,702 1853 6,236 1854 .. .. 5,456 1855 3,149 1856 .. .. 1,763 1857 5,4-29 Females. 905 7,715 9,342 10,802 6,096 2,916 8,940 Totals 29,877 46,770 Total. 1,987 15,477 14,578 16,318 9,245 4 679 14,369 76,653 The Department has branches at Williamstown, Geelong, Portland, Belfast, Warrnambool, and Port Albert. At the Immigration Office, in Melbourne, a general record of all persons arriving at, and departing from, the Colony is kept, and information respecting them is given to persons applying by letter or otherwise. Instructions to immigrants, on their arrival at Melbourne, will be found under the head of "Immigrants' Aid Society," vide Contents. Government Immigrants, on arrival, are received into the Depots, where they are open to the public for engagement. The single women are lodged in a separate Depot, no access to which is allowed without a written permission which may be obtained at the Immigration Office. An introduction is required from all employers who may be unknown to the Immigration Agent, and no hotel or boarding house keeper is permitted on any account to hire single females. Persons resident in Victoria, wishing to bring their relatives and friends from the United Kingdom, can secure passages for them in vessels chartered by Her Majesty's Land and Immi- gration Commissioners. The regulations vary from time to time, according to the circumstances of the colony; but the object of them is to promote the union of families which, with- out Government aid, might be separated. The principle in this system is, that upon a certain deposit being made, the Govern- ment undertakes to bring nominees to the colony, paying the remainder of the expenses incurred from funds voted from time to time for the encouragement of immigration, by the Colonial Legislature. The amount required to be deposited varies according to the age and sex of the nominee; but the average may be estimated at about one-third of the whole cost of the passage. These regulations are published, when issued, in the Government Gazette. VICTORIA. 91 The number of unassisted immigrants who have arrived in the Colony of Victoria by sea, from the 1st July 1851 to 31st December 1857, is shown by the subjoined table: — Period. Males. Females. Total. July to December, 1S51 .. .. 7,512 1,517 9,029 During 1852 .. 67,110 12,077 79,187 „ 1853 .. .. 60,798 16,938 77,734 „ 1854 .. 51,013 15,179 69,092 „ 1855 .. .. 44,740 12,586 57,326 „ 1S56 .. 26,572 10,343 36,915 „ 1807 .. .. 35,461 13,400 48,861 Totals. 294,104 82,040 376,144 The number of departures from the colony by sea during the above period was about 178,455. The official passenger lists of all vessels arriving at, and departing from, the Colony of Victoria, are preserved in the Immigration Office at Melbourne. The duty of protecting passengers inwards and outwards, by sea, is imposed upon the Emigration Officers under the Imperial, and Colonial, Passengers' Acts. Emigration officers are stationed at each of the Ports of the Colony, and all ships conveying passengers are boarded and inspected by these offi- cers, whose duty it is to see that the provisions of these Acts are duly complied with, and to render every assistance to passengers in the redress of their grievances. No passenger is allowed to leave a vessel until cleared by the Immigration Officer. A charge of five shillings for each statute adult landed in the Colony is lev ed on the masters of vessels under the Act of Council, 18 Victoria, No. 5. An additional sum of ten pounds is required under the Act, 18 Victoria, No. 39, for every "male adult native of China, or its dependencies, or of any island in the Chinese Seas, or of any person born of Chinese parents," who may be landed in the colony. GOVERNMENT, LAW, &e. [A full and complete list of Names of Officials, with various particulars in reference to Railways, Institutions, Companies, Societies, Churches, Country Districts, &c., is corrected monthly in Bradshaw's Guide to Victoria, which is published as a companion to this annual Handbook.S] GOVERNMENT. — Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief and Vice- Admiral of Victoria: His Excellency Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B. Private Secretary: Captain O. F. Timins. Military Secretary and Aide-de-Camp: Captain W. C. Bancroft. Clerk: R. Wadworth. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.—Commander of Her Majesty's Forces in the Australian Colonies: Major-General Edward Macarthur. Chief Secretary: Hon. John O'Shanassy. Attorney-General: Hon. Henry Samuel Chapman. Solicitor-General: Hon. Richard Davies Ireland. Treasurer: Hon. George Harker. President of the Board of Land and Works: Hon. Charles Gavan Duffy. Commissioner of Trade and Customs: Hon. Henry Miller. Post- master-General: Hon. George Samuel Evans. Clerk: J. H. Kay, R.N. PARLIAMENT.—Legislative Council.—Composed of thirty Members for six Provinces. President: Hon. Sir James Frederick Palmer, Knight. 02 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. ChaS.rm%n of Committees: Hon. John Hodgson. Members: Central Pro- vince (6), Hons. John Pascoe Fawkner, Thomas Howard Fellows, Nehemiah Guthridge, John Hodgson, John Hood; Eastern Province (5), Matthew Hervey, William Highett, James Stewart, Robert Thomson, Benjamin Williams ; North-Western Province (5), John Allen, Denni3 Patrick Keogh, W. H. Fancourt Mitchell, John Hunter Patterson, George Urquhart; Southern Province (o), John Barter Bennett, W. J. Turner Clarke, Donald Kennedy, Thomas M'Combie, Thomas Herbert Power; South-Western (5), James Cowie, James Henty, Robert Culbertson Hope, William Roope, James Ford Strachan; Western Province (5), Stephen George HeDtv, Henry Miller, James Frederick Palmer, Daniel Joseph Tierney, Charles Vaughan. Clerk: G. W. Rusden. Usher: Col. H. H. Farquharson. Legislative Assbmblv.—Composed of sixty Members for thirty-eight Districts. Speaker: Hon. Francis Murphy. Chairman of Committees: B. C. Aspinall. Members: Alberton (1), James Davis; Anglesey (1), Peter Snodgrass; Belfast (1), Francis E. Beaver; Brighton (1), Charles Hotson Ebden; Castlemaine (2), Richard D. Ireland, R. S. W. Sitwell; Colac (1), Theodore Hancock; Collingwood (2), Thomas Enabling, George Harker; Dun das and Follet (1), William Thomas Mollison; East B;iurke (2), A. F. A. Greeves, Richard Heales; Evelyn and Mornington (1), W. A. D. Anderson; Geelong (4), George Board, John Henry Brooke, Charles Sladen, Alexander Thomson; Gipps Land (1), John Johnson ; Kilmore (1), John O'Shanassy; Kyneton Boroughs (1), George Walker Johnson; Loddon (2), John Downes Owens, Ebenezer Syme; Melbourne (5), Henry Langlands, Archd. Michio, David Moore, James Service, John Thomas Smith ; Murray Boroughs (1), Francis Murphy; Normanby (1), Edward Henty; North Grenville (1), Peter Lalor; Noith Grant (1), John Basson Humffray; Ovens (1), John Dennistoun Wood; Polwarth, &c. (2), Colin Campbell, Jeremiah George Ware; Portland (2), John Findlay, D. A. Hughes; Richmond (2), Daniel Stodhart Campbell, George Samuel Evans; Rodney (1), John Everard; Sandhurst Boroughs (1), James M. Grant; South Bourke (2), Patrick O'Brien, Sidney Hicardo; South Grant (3), William Clark Haines, John Myles, Horatio Spencer Wills; South Melbourne (1), Andrew Clarke; St. Kilda (2), H. S. Chapman, J. B. Crews ; Talbot (2), Butler C. Aspinall, David Blair; The Murray (2), Travels Adamson, Wm. Furlonge; Villiers, &c. (2), Charles Gavan Duffy, William Rutledge; Warrnambool (I), George Samuel Wcgg Horne; West Bourke (2), Patriek Phelan, Joseph Wilkie; Williumstown (1), C. J. Perry; Wimmera (2). James McCul'och, John Quarterinan. Clerk: John Barker. Clerk Assistant: A. G. Dumas. Sergeant-at-Arms: W. G. Palmer. LAW.—Chief Justice: His Honor Sir W. Foster Stawell, Knt. Puisne Judges: His Honor Redmond Barry, His Honor Edward Eyre Williams, His Honor Robert Molesworth. Attorney-General: Hon. H. S. Chapman. Solicitor-General: Hon. R. D. Ireland. Crown Solicitor: Henry F. Gurner. Master in Equity and Chief Commissioner of Insolvent Estates: Frederick Wilkinson, Curator of Intestate Estates: George Shovelbottom. Protho- notary: John Alfred Porter. Sheriff: Claud Farie. [For lists of Commis- sioners for Taking Affidavits, Official Assignees, Deputy-Sheriffs, Chairmen . and Judges of County Courts, Crown Prosecutors, Resident Magistrates, Clerks of Petty Sessions, Barristers, Attorneys, &c., &c., see Bradsltaw's Monthly Guide to Victoria.] MILITARY.—A detachment of the 40th Regiment, located in two bar- racks. Commander of the Forces: Hon. Edward Macarthur. Assistant Military Secretary: Lieut. J. T. J. Boyd. Deputy Adjutant-General: Lieut.-Colonel J. M. Bladen Neill. Major of Brigade: Captain Hare. Barrack Master: Lieut. Buckle. Volunteer Artillery Corps.—Lieutenant- Colonel: W. A. D. Anderson. Yeomanry Corps.—Lieutenant-Colonel: James H. Ross. (See particulars, per Index.) NAVAL.—H. M Colonial Steam Sloop Victoria, 3 guns. Commander: W. H. Norman. (See particulars, per Index.) GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.—Under Secretary, J. Moore. C missioners of Audit: C. H. Symouds, F. Jones, A. J. Agg. Registrar- General: Norman Campbell. Assistant Registrar-General: W. H. Archer. VICTORIA. 93 Gold Receiver: John Wilkinson. Chief Medical Officer and President of the Central Board of Health and Medical Board of Victoria: Wm. M'Crea, M.D. Stu^ eyor-General: Charles Whybrow Ligar. Commissioner of Public Works: Hon. Captain Pasley. Commissioner of Roads and Bridges: John Steavenson. Engineer-in-Chief of Victorian Railways: G. C. Darbyshire. President of the Pilot Board, Chief Harbor Master, and Chairman of the Steam Navigation Board: Charles Ferguson. Superintendent of Electric Telegraphs: S. W. M'Gowan. Inspector-General of Penal Establishments: W. T. N. Champ. Chief Commissioner of Police: — Standish. Geological Surveyor: A. R. C. Selwyn. Director of Meteorological Observatories and Secretary to Board of Science: R. Brough Smyth. Government Botanist: Dr. Mueller. Chairman of Denominational School Board: Judge Pohlman. Chairman of National School Board: Hon. Sir James Palmer. Governor of Melbourne Gaol: George Wintle. Surgeon Superintendent at Sanitary Station: Jamts Reed. Surgeon Superintendent of Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum: R. Bowie. Librarian of Public Library: Augustus Tulk. Chief Inspector of Distilleries: W. R. Belcher. Government Printer: John Ferres. Government Storekeeper: Richard Nash. Director of Museum: Professor McCoy. Certifying Barrister of Friendly Societies: B. F. Bunny. Director of Model Farm: Thomas Skilling. Marine Surveyor for Victoria: M. G. H. W. Ross. Shipping Master and Registrar of Seamen: John J. Shulinglaw. Immigration Agent: J. D. Pinnock. ECCLESIASTICAL. [For particulars of History and Progress of Churches, see Contents.] CHURCH OF ENGLAND.—Bishop of Melbourne: Right Rev. Charles Perry, D.D. Dean and Archdeacon of Melbourne: Very Rev. Hussey Burgh Macartney, D.D. Archdeacon of Geelong: Ven. Theodore Carlos Benoni Stretch, A.M. Archdeacon of Portland: Ven. Thtmas Henry Braim, D.D. Revs. S. L. Chase, G. Goodman, J. Freeman, J. Darling, R. B. Barlow, J. Linskea, H. H. P. Handfleld, C. Booth, W. Byrnes, G. Studdert, G. Pollard, P. Homan, W. McJentett, R. Stephens, J. T. Schleicher, J. Potter, C. Searle, J. Sullivan, W. R. L. Bennett, E. B. Clarke, T. B. Garlick, G. J. Russell, S. Taylor, J. B. Stair, C. P. M. Bardin, J. Barlow, R. B. Dickinson, E. Ruckle, J. S. Low, H. E. Windle, J. C. T. Stretch, R. T. Cummins, T. Heron, W. Wood, T. Budd, J. Lynar, W. Sin- gleton, F. G. Barton, H. W. W. Liduiard, W. Carter, J. Y. Wilson, J. H. Gregory, A. Crawford, J. D. Brennan, P. K. Simmons, J. Stone, W. N. Guinness, D. Seddon, J. Cheyne, W. Bean, L. A. Baker, A. J. M'Causland, F. T. C. Russell, P. T. Beamish, W. Copeland, J. G. Medland, E. Tanner, F. Smith, T. Dowell. Chancellor of the Diocese: C. J. Griffith, A.M. Registrar of the Diocese : T. T. a'Beckett. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.—Right Rev. the Bishop, J. A. Goold, D.D. ; Very Rev. the Vicar-General, J. Fitzpatrick, D.D. ; Very Rev. the Vicar-General, P. B. Geoghegan, D.D.; Revs. L. Shiel, D. M'Evey, J. Bleasdale, J. Barry, J. Lane, B. Power, J. OSConnell, P. Niali, C. OSHea, J. Madden, J. Hoyne, M. Downing, E. O'Connell, H. Geoghegan, P. Smyth, — Backhaus, T. O'Rorke, J. Kennedy, F. Hums, P. Verling, J. B. Hayes, M. O'Brien, W. Shinnick, E. M'Carthy, R. Rankin, M. Farrelly, — Slattery, J. Maloney, E. MSCarthy, R. Downing, P. Madden, — McGirr, R. Fennelly, P. Birch, M. Stack. WESLEYAN CHURCHES.—Revs. D. J. Draper, W. L. Binks, T. Wil- liams, W. P. Wells, J. S. Waugh, S. W. Worth, W. Hopkins, S. Knight, R. Hart. E. King, J. Atkin, W. Hill, G. Daniel, J. Dodgson, S. Waterhouse, W. C. Currey, G. B. Richards, W. Lightbody, J. Beckford, C.Lane, T. Taylor, J. W. Crisp, J. Albiston, W. Woodal, T. Raston, II. Chester, W. L. Blaniires, J. Dare, C. Dubourg, J. Catterall, J. Mewton, J. C. Symons. INDEPENDENT or CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES. —Revs. A. Morison, R. Fletcher, W. B. Landells, R. Bowman, T. Odell, W. Moss, J. P. Sunderland, W. R. Lewis, H. Thomas, W. C. Robinson, J. Mirams, W. R. Fletcher, J. Apperly, J. H. Jackson, J. Brien, E. Day, J. Summers, H. Kidgell, J. Pitman, B. Couzins, — Moorish, J. Sleigh. VICTORIA. 95 Building Association, Colonial Freehold Land Society, Richmond Building and Investment Society, Second Collingwood Building and Investment Society, Second Union Benefit Building and Investment Society, Second iVictoria Building and Investment Society. Miscellaneous—Chamber of Commerce, Melbourne Brokers' Association, Victorian Association of Marine Surveyors, Medical Society of Victoria, Microscopic Society, Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria, Philharmonic Society, Horticultural Society of Victoria, Zoological Society, Early Closing Association, Agricultural Club, Port Phillip Farmers' Society, German Association, German Liedertafel Har- roonia, Victorian Society of Fine Arts, Melbourne Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, Literary Association of the Companions of St. Augustine, St. Patrick's Society, Victorian Convention, Industrial Society, Licensed Victuallers' Association, Builders and Contractors' Asso- ciation. Mutual Progressive Society of Operative Carpenters and Joiners, United Insurance Company's Fire Brigade, &c. CLUBS.—Melbourne Club, Victorian Club, Melbourne Garrick Club, Melbourne Hunt Club, Victoria Jockey Club, Victoria Turf Club, Victoria Archery Club, Hawthorne Archery Club. Cricket Clubs— Coast, Colling- wood, Emerald Hill, Hawthorne, I Zingari, Melbourne, Olympic, Phoenix, Richmond, South Park, South Yarra, Starlight, St. Kilda.St. Kilda Park, Twilight, University, Victoria, Williarastown, Williamstown Pioneer, Yarra Yarra, Corio, Moorabool, Ballaarat, Tarradale, Barker's Creek, Castlemaine, Maryborough, &c. MASONIC LODGES.—English.—Provincial Grand Lodge of the District of Victoria, Lodge of Australia Feix, Lodge of Australasia, Unity and Prudence, Portland Lodge of Victoria, St. Kilda Lodge, Hobton'a Bay Lodge, Golden Lodge of Bendigo, Victoria Lodge, Mount Alexander Lodge, Yarrowee Lodge, Yarra Yarra Lodge, Mt. Franklyn Lor ge of Hiram, Bal- laarat Lodge, Boroondara Lodge, Cullingwood Lodge, Beech worth Lodge of St. John, Meridian Lodge of St. John, United Tradesmen's Lodge of Ballaarat East, Mackenzie Lodge, Lodge of Industry, Mariner's Lodge, Lodge of Mount Maeedon, Lodge of Concord, Mai Thorough Lodge, Corin- thian Lodge, Sandridge Marine Lodge, Richmond Lodsre. Lodges of Instruction; Australia Felix, Collingwood Lodge, Lodge of Industry, Combermere Lodge, the Victoria General Lodge of Instruction. Royal Arch Chapters: Australasian Chapter, Bendigo Chapter, Collingwood Chapter, Meridian Chapter. Knights Templar: Pembroke Encampment of Victoria. Ancient and Accepted Rite: Sovereign Chapter of Knights of the Eagle and Pelican, and P. P. Princes Rose Croix. Irish.—Prov. Grand Lodge of Victoria, Australian Felix Lodge of Hiram, Washington Lodge, Victoria Lodge of East Collingwood, St. John's Tradesmen's Lodge, Bunin- yong Lodge, Moonee Ponds Rural Lodge, Rose, Thistle, and Shamrock Lodge, Carlton Lodge, Royal Park Lodge, King Solomon's Lodge. Scotch. —Provincial Grand Lodge of Victoria, Australasia Kilwinning Lodge, United Tradesmen's Lodge, Lodge of Judah. Royal Arch Chapter: United Tradesmen's Chapter, (For article on Freemasonry, vide Contents, and list of Lodges, in Bradshaw's Guide.) ODD FELLOWS' LOLGES.—Manchester Unity: Australia Felix, Mel- bourne, Victoria, Rose of England, Britannia, Hope of Richmond, Colling- wood, Good Intent, Good Samaritan, Castlemaine, Olive Branch, Rose of Brunswick, Williamstown, Emerald Hill, Alliance, Geelong, Southern Star, Buninyong, Ballaarat, Prince of Wales, Bendigo, Gold Miners' Pride, James Roe, Strangers' Refuge. Ancient and Independent Order: Duke of York, Loyal Fitzroy, Prince Albert, Australian, Loyal Brothers, Loyal Ashby. Grand United Order: Felix, Prince of Wales, Victoria, Britannia, President, Brighton Union, Prince Albert, Rose, Napier, Eltham Union. There are also Societies of Foresters, Rechabites, &c. MISCELLANEOuSS. NATIONAL AND DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS.—(See Contents.) GOLD OFFICES.-(See Contents.) CORPORATIONS AND MUNICIPALITIES.—(See Contents,) LAW, POLICE, AND PENAL.—(See Contents.) 96 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS AND IMMIGRANTS' AID SO- CIETY.—(See Contents.) ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—(See Contents.) LABOR MARKETS AND REGISTRY OFFICES are established in Melbourne and suburbs, where respectable male and female servants are engaged. Arrangements have been made for temporary accommodation for persons whose pecuniary circumstances are not able to provide shelter. POST OFFICE, Melbourne.—Postmaster-General: Hon. G. 8. Evans. Secretary : W. Turner. Town Letters—Under half oz., 2d. ; exceeding half oz. and not exceeding 1 oz., 4d. ; exceeding 1 oz. and not exceeding 2 oz., 8d. ; exceeding 2 oz. and not exceeding 3 oz., Is. ; and every ounce or fraction of an ounce, 4d. additional. Country Letters—Under half zo., 4d. ; exceeding half oz. and not exceeding 1 oz., 8d.; exceeding 1 oz. and not exceeding 2 oz., Is. 4d. ; exceeding 2 oz. and not exceeding 3 oz., 2s.; and every ounce or fraction of an ounce, 8d. additional. Newspapers— For delivery within Victoria, cr for transmission from Victoria beyond seas, to be charged Id. each ; but newspapers for transmission to foreign coun- tries and British colonies, vid the United Kingdom, to be charged the additional rates in Scale B, issued at the General Post Office. Books and Packets—In and for Victoria and other Australian colonies: not exceeding 4 oz., 6d. ; every additional 2 oz. or fraction of 2 oz., 3d. (weight not to exceed 1 lb.); in addition to which there shall be charged for transmission by ship one shilling as sea postage. Between Victoria and United Kingdom and India: for every weight not exceeding 4 oz., 6d. ; for eveiy additional 2 oz. or portion thereof up to any weight not exceeding 3 lbs., 3d. ; in addition to which there shall be charged for sea postage on each packet. Registered Letters are received daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but must be posted ene hour prior to the closing of mails. Newspapers are cleared for despatch at 8.30 and 11 a.m., and at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Closing of Mails. —Notices of time of closing mails to all parts of the world are posted up in front of the Post Office. For Post Office statistics, vide contents. RAILWAYS.—Details in reference to those lines in operation and in progress will be found elsewhere. STEAMERS to Adelaide, Sydney, Horart Town, Launceston, Geelong, Port Albert, Portland, Belfast, Warraambool, QueensclifTe, St. Leonards- on-the-Bay, Schnapper Point, The Murray, New Zealand, &c.; also tug- boats and river steamers. See Bradshaw's Guide or daily papers. Infor- mation respecting the Royal Mail Line of Steamers in another part of this work. SHIPS.—Liverpool and London lines of vessels, also to various parts of the world. Coasters to the different colonies. BOATMENS9 RATES AND FARES, with instructions, are published. OMNIBUSES, CABS, DRAYS, AND OTHER CONVEYANCES.—Full particulars in Bradshaw's Guide. NEWSPAPERS, &c.—A complete list of names, with time of publishing, in Bradshaw's Guide. TARIFF.—Ale, porter, spruce, and other beer, cider, and perry, 6d. per gallon. Cigars, 3s. per lb. Coffee and chicory, 2d. per lb. Spirits, or strong waters, of any strength not exceeding the strength of proof fay Syke's hydrometer, and bo on in proportion for any greater or less strength than the strength of proof, 10s. per gallon. Spirits, cordials, liqueurs, or strong waters, sweetened or mixed with any article so that the degree of strength cannot be ascertained by Syke's hydrometer, 10s. per gallon. Spirits, perfumed, 10s. per gallon. Sugar, raw and refined, and sugar candy, 6s. per cwt. Molasses and treacle, 3s. per cwt. Opium, and all preparations thereof, 10s. per lb. Tea, 6d. per lb. Tobacco and snuff, 2s. per lb. Wine, 2?. per gallon. All other goods, wares, and merchandise free. Spirits in bulk under 14 gallons cannot be imported, of tobacco or cigars under 60 lbs., nor of opium under 45 lbs. TASMANIA. 97 TASMANIA (Van Diemen-s Land). PRELIMINARY. On 1st December, 1642, Abel Jansen Tasman discovered this island, which he called Van Diemen in honor of the East Indian Governor-General. Captain Marion, in the Mascarin and Castries, seeking for a southern continent, entered Frederick Henry Bay on 4th March, 1772. On 9th March, 1773, Captain Furneaux, in the Adventure, a ship belonging to Captain Cook's fleet, anchored in Adventure Bay. On 25th January, 1777, Captain Cook, then on his third voyage, visited the same spot. On 20th April, 1792, Admiral Brune D'Entrecasteaux in the Research, accompanied by Captain Huon Kermandee, in the Esperance, in search of La Perouse, brought up in Recherche Bay, and returned in January, next year. Their names are perpetuated by a channel, an island, and a river. Dr. Bass, in February, 1798, made the discovery that Tasmania was an island, and the straits separating it from New Holland still bear his name. HISTORICAL. Amongst the records of the early attempts to form the settlement of Port Phillip, there is preserved a document which throws some light upon the combination of circum- stances which led the way to the foundation of the Colony of Tasmania. Colonel Collins, under date Port Phillip, 31st Dec., 1803, wrote in a general order, "It has never been my wish to make the Sabbath day other tban a day of devotion and rest, but circumstances compel me to employ it in labor. In this the whole are concerned, since the sooner we are enabled to leave this unpromising and unproductive country, the sooner shall we be able to reap the advantage and enjoy the comforts of a more fertile spot." Thus the settlement of Victoria was postponed, and the colonization of Tasmania hastened by some thirty years. In due time the ship Ocean, with Captain Collins on board, entered Storm Bay, 16th February, 1804, sailed up the Derwent,—and on the 19th the Governor landed at Sullivan's Cove, the future harbor of Hobart Town. Lieut. Bowen, in the brig Lady Nelson, with a party from Port Jackson, had taken possession of the island, and settled on the F 98 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. cast bank of the Deiwent at Restdown, now Risdon, on 10th August, 1803. Colonel Patterson also sailed from Sydney to form a new settlement and take command at Port Dalrymple. York Town was first selected; then George Town; and Launceston was finally fixed on as the site of the northern capital. For several years had a desperate struggle for existence. Kangaroo were purchased by the Commissariat at 8d per lb., and flour was £112 per ton. The rations were reduced in 1805-6 to a very low scale. Some- times there was no sugar, at other times no beef or pork in the island. The wheat crop failed in 1807, and the price of that article rose to £4 a bushel, which would make flour about £200 a ton. In 1809 the settlers were allowed to pay their debts to the crown in wheat at 15s. a bushel On 24th March, 1810, Governor Collins died, and it is asserted that two gentle- men the same night destroyed all his official documents by fire. It is a fact that the garrison order book is the only record of 1809 among the archives of the colony. An interreg- num occurred, during which Lieutenant E Lord, Captain Murray, and Lieutenant-Colonel Geils successively assumed the government. The population was estimated at 1500, and there was the same number of acres under wheat. Population began to stretch across to Launceston, the vicinity of which was more favorable for cultivation than the neighborhood of Hobart Town, and in 1812 Major Gordon was appointed commandant at Port Dalrymple. Governor Davey arrived on 4th February, 1813. On 19th June the two ports were first opened to commerce. In 1816 a census was taken, which showed a total of 1461,—211 being in Cornwall and 1250 in Buckingham, the two counties into which the whole island was then divided. That year there were 964 acres of wheat, 44 of barley, 5 of peas, and 41 of potatoes, also 34 horses, 1956 cattle, and ^20,501 sheep, in Cornwall. On 9th April, 1817, Governor Sorrell arrived and Davey sailed. Regular roads began now to be formed. The stock in Buckingham consisted of 188 horses, 9868 cattle, 76,991 sheep, and 1552 pigs; the acres in cultivation in the same county were—wheat, 2767; barley, 138; peas and beans, 94, and potatoes, 196. Successful industry evoked commerce; 26 vessels arrived and 20 sailed; 20,000 bushels of wheat were exported to Sydney: and a weekly post was established between Launceston and Hobart Town. In 1819 the population, according to the muster roll, amounted to 4411. There were 7292 acies wheat, 316 barley, 263 peas and beans, 459 potatoes,—total, 8330 acres under cultivation. There were 363 horses, 23,124 head of horned cattle, and 172,128 sheep; 26 vessels arrived and the same number sailed: there were 164 children at public schools; the Supreme Court was first held at Hobart Town; and a Civil Court with jurisdiction up to £50, without appeal, was es- tablished; wheat to the value of £4000, beside meat, was TASMANIA. 99 exported. Next year 43,917 lbs. of salted meat were supplied to Sydney. Two churches were built in 1822. The population had increased in 1823 to 10,009 souls; 57 vessels of an aggre- gate tonnage of 17,988 entered inwards and 52 vessels, and tonnage 16,730, sailed. The imports were valued at JE15.740, the exports at £24,734, and consisted of 55,522 bushels wheat, 49 bushels barley, 50 tons potatos, 226 casks oil, 52 packages whalebone, 24 casks seal skins, 20 dry ditto, 600 kangaroo skins, 50 logs pine, 50 logs cedar, 794 bales, 17,160 lbs. wool, 300 lbs. tallow. The customs duties amounted to £20,389. The ordinary and fixed expenses of government were £24,434. On 14th May, 1823, Colonel Arthur, the fourth Lieutenant- Governor, arrived. From that date the records of the progress of the colony are formal and authentic. He introduced a new sj'stem; and order and subordination were the watchwords of that administrative chief. Originally a convict settlement, Tasmania continued to be the receptacle of criminals, till the urgent remonstrances of the free settlers compelled the Home Government in 1853 to abandon transportation to its shores. Tasmania is a mountainous country. Two chains run through it longitudinally, nearly due north and south, known as the Eastern and Western Tiers. The intermediate space can only be said to be partially occupied. While patches to the east are located, little to the west is appropriated, unless in close proximity to the northern shore. The conformation of many of the mountains rising from the principal chains or branching off as spurs, is singularly picturesque. Most of them have names. In the Eastern Tier, Ben Lomond rises to a height of 5002 feet above sea level, Ben Nevis, 3910; and in the Western Tier, Mount Humboldt is 5520 feet high, Dry's Bluff 4590, Mount Arrowsmith 4075, and Valentine Peak 6000, which can be seen 60 miles off. The island is well watered, and abounds in rivers, rivulets, and creeks. The Derwent is a noble stream, flowing by Hobart Town. The Huon is also navigable and runs through a fertile country. The junction of the two Esks constitute the navigable Tamar and the town of Launceston is situated in the cleft or fork. The Mersey is a considerable stream, and its sea mouth is practicable for vessels drawing fourteen feet. Coasters can enter the Don, the Forth, the Leven, and some others on the northern coast. The south of the island is studded with safe bays or harbors; there are a few also on the eastern side. The west coast is bold, rocky, and inhospitable, but there are at least three accessible ports—Port Davey, Macquarie Harbor, and Pieman's Biver. If steam vessels were employed, a trade PHYSICAL FEATURES. f 2 100 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. might lie safely carried on at all seasons, and there is said to be abundance of good soil and fine timber awaiting the entei- prise of man. There are numerous and extensive lakes on the elevated table lands, as Great Lake, Arthur's, Sorell, St. Clair, Kcho and Crescent. The extreme length of Tasmania is 250 miles, and its extreme breadth 200, but the configuration is very irregular. It is nearly as large as Ireland, and contains an area of 24,000 square miles or 15,000,000 acres. This colony is, beyond the others, more English in its aspect. The propor- tion of appropriated soil, however, is small compared with the superficial area yet unsold. No climate could be more salubrious or favorable to the constitution of English men and women. All the fruits and flowers grown at home when transplanted only thrive more luxuriantly in Tasmania. The sheep land is the settled districts in nearly all occupied, but soil of surprising fertility for agricultural purposes, covered by valuable timber, will be available for a century. [Additional particulars respecting the features of the island will be found further on]. We have said this country is more English in its character than its neighbours. This remark applies to its natural as well as its social features—of course, we mean in the districts which have been longest settled. The surface of the island is uneven, and it presents every variety of scenery—the snow- capped mountain, the wild shore, the barren tract, the green valley, watered by never-failing rivers the extensive sheep- land, and the wide expanse of agricultural country, studded with neat, or splendid homesteads, and made pleasant to the English eye by the subdivision into fields and highly -cultivated gardens, fenced by hedges such as adorn the landscapes of Britain. Tasmania has, from the commencement of the colony, been resorted to by settlers of unquestionable respectability, numbers of whom have been long settled on the land they occupy. Their possessions are of various extent, from perhaps 70,000 acres, downwards. SEASONS, CLIMATE, AND NATURAL SCENERT. Tasmania is situated between the parallels of 40° 43' and 43° 33' south latitude. The climate, as may be imagined from the geographical position of the colony is removed from the extremes of either heat or cold. The summers are not unplea- santly warm, and woollen clothes are worn throughout the year. The winters are never so cold, even in the more elevated table- land, as to put a stop to the operations of the agriculturist. The colonist, who forgets not at the winter season the hospitality and the good old fare of fatherland, takes his dinner with open windows, through which he looks on waving fields of corn TASMANIA. 101 almost ready for the sickle. The scientific labors of Count Strzelecki have established some facts in connection with the climatology of Tasmania which place the island in a very favorable light. Some parts of the Northern Coast of the island possess the climate of Cheltenham and parts of Switzer- land, in summer, and a winter similar to that of Algiers, Sicily, or New Orleans; Launceston, in its summer, resembles La Rochelle and Toulouse, and in its winter, Lisbon. The climate of the South resembles that of Augsburg or Dantzic in summer, and that of Smyrna in winter. The climatic condition of the island may be estimated by its rich flora, and by the healthy condition of its indigenous animals. Scenery.—In order to convey to the reader an idea of the scenery to be met with in Tasmania, we cannot do better than quote from the work of Count Strzelecki. He says:—" On examining the indigenous organic forms of Van Diemen's Land, we find they exhibit, in common with the rest of New Holland, a general physiognomy which is exceptive with respect to the rest of the globe; and that this general aspect or physiognomy is especially remarkable in the peculiar vege- tation which pervades the whole of Terra Australis. The course of the seasons, which in extra-tropical countries causes the leaves to fall, and diversifies the foliage with the fresh bright verdure of spring, or the gorgeous and variegated tints of autumn, has no influence upon the unvaried mantle of olive green which clothes the forests of Tasmania. On a nearer examination, however, this vegetation is discovered to possess much gracefulness in the form both of species and of individual trees, and many delicate or minute shades in its verdure, which, combined with the ever-changing ash grey color of the shedding bark of the Eucalyptus, the undulating and often broken surface upon which it thrives, and the resplendent sky above, present a world of interest and attraction. Frequently it is so grouped as to exhibit contrasts of surpassing beauty, the more striking because they are abrupt and little expected. Amid the apparent sameness of the forest may be often found spots teeming with a gigantic and luxurious vegetation, some- times laid out in stately groves, free from thicket or underwood, sometimes opening on glades and slopes, intersected with rivulets, carpeted with the softest turf, and which lack only the thatched and gabled cottage, with its blue smoke curling amid the trees, to realize a purely European picture. Some- times, again, the forest skirts an open country of hill and plain, gracefully sprinkled with isolated clumps of trees, covered with the richest tufted herbage, and enamelled with flowers of varied form and colour; or it is lost in immense thickets, where innumerable flowering shrubs and elegant inter- woven creepers, form bowers as impenetrable and as pictur- esque as those seen in the forests of Brazil." 102 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. NATURAL PRODUCTIONS. The chief productions of the island consist of wheat, oats, and all kinds of agricultural produce, butter, wool, bark, hops, fruit, oil, whalebone, timber, and stone. The soil generally is remarkable for its fertility. After many years of production without the aid of manure it still continues to yield fair crops, and single acres of virgin soil have yielded GO bushels of wheat, 100 bushels of oats, or 10 tons of potatoes. A bushel of wheat has been produced, weighing 71 pounds. Without pre- tending to particularise minutely the various descriptions of timber which this island produces, it may be proper to mention the gum and stringy-bark amongst the hardwoods chiefly used for house and shipbuilding purposes. It is very strong and durable, and the trees attain an immense growth: six feet in diameter is a common size. The blackwood and myrtle are in high esteem for cabinet-work; and there is also a very valuable description of pine. Wild flowers and heaths of groat delicacy and beauty abound everywhere. Coal has been found in several parts of the colony, and mines are now worked at the Mersey, on the north side of the island, Douglas Paver and Schouten Island, on the cast; and New Town and Port Arthur on the south; the mineral is known to exist in the neighbor- hood of Macquarie Harbor, and in the mountain ranges near Pingal there is a veiy extensive deposit of capital coal, which presents a very thick seam at the surface, and might be worked by adit with great profit if a rail or tramroad were constructed for carrying it to a shipping place. Limestone abounds in every part of the island; marble and slate are also obtained. There are inexhaustible beds of clay, adapted for both brick- work and pottery. Gold has been found in several localities, and some persons have prosecuted its search in the district of Fingal with considerable success; when contrasted with the yield of the Victorian diggings, however, our resources are insignificant. Iron, silver, lead, copper and tin are known to exist, but no considerable attempt has yet been made to develop the mineral resources. Freestone is obtained in the north, the centre, and the south of the island. A stone, com- monly called "Ironstone," a species of trap, and admirably adapted for road-making, exists everywhere in vast quantities. The wheat of Tasmania is equal to any in the world—a fact established at the Great Exhibition of Industry—and the wool holds a high place in the home market. At Hobart Town, oil and whalebone form very important articles of export. Twenty-seven vessels belonging to the port are engaged in the fisheries. TASMANIA. 103 ZOOLOGY AND ENTOMOLOGY. Of the wild animals of Tasmania little need be said. Of the carnivora the largest is an animal known as the hyaena, or, native tiger, which grows to the size of a large dog. There is another quadruped held in great horror by the rlockmaster; much smaller than the hyavna, it is far more ferocious, and this peculiarity of character has obtained for it the name of 9' devil." The only other carnivorous animal is a species of cat, not unlike the polecat, either in its size or habits The kangaroo feeds on grass, and is a timid, inoffensive creature. Opossums abound in prodigious numbers, sleeping in holes of trees during the day, and emerging at night to feed on the young foliage or grass. The wombat, or badger, which bears a kind of resemblance to both a pig and a bear, burrows in the earth, and feeds on roots; its flesh is said to resemble pork. Rats and mice are very numerous. Birds.—There is a great variety, many being of fine plumage, and most of them fit for food. Of the rapacious order there are several species, the largest of which exceeds in size and strength the Golden Eagle of northern Europe, and is very destructive to lambs. There are at least six varieties of hawk, besides three or four species of owl. Cockatoos, both white and black, are common, and parrots, wood pigeons, snipe and quail, wild ducks and teal, are abundant. Black swans, formerly very common, have now retreated to the unsettled districts, where they are undisturbed by man. Pelicans, cor- morants, penguins, gulls and cranes, line the sea shore and margins of lakes and rivers. Fish.—Freshwater fish are limited to very few species; of these the most in favor is the so-called herriDg, a small fish weighing four or five ounces, which appears to be migratory. Eels of an immense size, a sort of bream, barracouta, flatheads, king-fish, trumpeter, flounders, gurnet, cod, salmon-trout, mullet, gar- fish, plaice, perch, silver-fish, pike, blue-heads, and skates, are the principal at present known and eaten. Large sharks, por- poises, whales, &c., abound in all the Australian waters. Of shell-fish may be mentioned—oysters, muscles, cockles, peri- winkles, wilks, mutton-fish, crabs, prawns, and cray-fish. Corals and sponges are also abundant. Insects.—Amongst insects are—moths (some as large as a wren), bottle flies, gnats, musquitoes, great variety of beetles, ants (some very large - a purple sort an inch long), grasshoppers, tree locusts, crickets, tarantula, spider, mantis, common flies, and other insects well-known in England. The bee has been introduced with great success, and a considerable quantity of wild honey is now obtained in all parts of the country, pro- duced by bees that originally escaped and are now rapidly increasing in numbers. Beptiles.—There are several species of snake,—the black TASMANIA. 105 a law rejected by the Councils. Colonel Arthur was a strict disciplinarian—a man of method, and estimable in private life. But he was an officer, and had no sympathy with popular liberty. He dealt with the colonists as with soldiers: disobe- dience was always followed by punishment. During his long tenure of office and vigilant superintendence, the resources of the colony were rapidly developed, extensive public works ex- ecuted, and vice in every form discountenanced. He did what he believed to be best for all, and he could not understand how people should wish to interfere either by advice or authority. A portion of that apathy and absence of self-reliance, which still characterise some of the old settlers, is to be traced to Col. Arthur, who was never tired of accomplishing material im- provements for the benefit of all. The roads made, the bridges built, the buildings erected, are the best monuments of his reign; and the systematic order into which he brought the affairs of every department has not been materially improved upon. He was a benevolent autocrat, and misused the tyrant power he possessed, as little perhaps, as any man placed in similar circumstances. General Darling proclaimed the inde- pendence of the colony on 3rd December, 1825, and sailed for Sydney. Arthur thus became "Excellency" instead of "Honor." Mr. Bent had issued the first number of the "Hobart Town Gazette " on 1st June, 1816; but in 1824 he separated from all connection with the government and went into opposition. Before the press existed " pipes " were used— that is, the offences of official men were hitched into rhyme, and either taught by repetition or circulated in manuscripts, like Beranger's songs and the squibs of the present day in France. These "pipes," by their satire, moderated the inso- lence of authority. Arthur established a rival "Gazette," and then the conflict commenced in earnest. Prosecutions of the press followed; and in 1827 a law was passed which made a licence from the Governor requisite, authorised a tax of three- pence on each paper, and rendered sureties necessary. Bent was refused a license, but issued a monthly publication. The publishers were injured, and the Governor did not gain. The law was disallowed by Lord Goderich, and the press set free. Emigrants continued to flock in, and were located on free grants of land, until the country became too strait for their flocks. The richest soil was despised, because encumbered with trees from two to three hundred feet high, containing the finest timber; and open land, though otherwise inferior, was sought above all other for sheep. A wistful eye was turned to the continent. John Batman made a flying visit to Port Phillip, entered into a compact with the blacks for an immense territory, returned home and formed a company of Tas- manians who transported the stock that first cropped the natural herbage around the wide expanse of Port Phillip. This occurred towards the close of 1835. In 1836-7 and 8 F 3 106 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. large quantities of stock were shipped to South Australia, and that province may, in a certain sense, be also said to have been colonised from this island. The turmoil to obtain the rights of Englishmen continued, public meetings were held and petitions forwarded—libels were printed, and libellers pro- secuted. A political association was formed, which worked in its own way without recognition by the Governor. Finally, in 1840, military juries were abolished, and the trial of crimes and misdemeanors committed to the inhabitants; and thus was reared in Tasmania that great bulwark of public and pri- vate freedom "trial by jury." But Governor Arthur's time came. He embarked on 19th Aug., 1836, and never were more joy and gladness expressed than on the occasion of his depar- ture. Lieut.-Col. Snodgrass administered the government until Sir John Franklin took up the reins on 6th January, 1837. He summed up his own character in his reply to an address presented to him on his arrival, which deplored the absence and invoked the restoration of social peace. "With my whole heart I agree with you. Let us be divided then, if we cannot be united, in political sentiments, yet knit together as friends and neighbors in everything besides. Let us differ where honest men may differ; and let us agree, not in under- valuing the points of political dissent, but in respecting the motives which produce it; in cherishing domestic virtues which will be found to characterise individuals of every party; and in making the generous sacrifice of private feelings for the general good, rather than aggravating the importance of grievances which must render such forbearance impossible." Sir John Franklin was a contrast to Sir George Arthur in almost every point of view. When an unanimous petition was adopted in June, 1838, for the the concession of British institutions, he afforded it his friendly countenance, and in a despatch urged compliance with its prayer, but it proved unsuccessful. At the first sitting of the Council he threw open the doors to the public; and, as resignations fell in, and opportunity occurred, nominated to the Coun- cil or Commission those who had been rigorously ex- cluded from both by his predecessor. The public breathed freer under the new regime. But Franklin, with rare injustice, was superseded before his time, and, as a compensa- tion, was sent on an expedition to the North Pole, from which the noble-hearted man never returned. During his adminis- tration distillation was prohibited by law, and £7,431 were paid to distillers as compensation. A large body of emigrants was introduced under his auspices, most of whom and their children occupy independent and respectable spheres in life. Sir Eardley Wilmot succeeded to power on 21st August, 1843. His short and troubled administration presents few events of permanent interest. A question at once imperial, colonial, and social was discussed disastrously for him. He was also TASMANIA. 107 the victim of misrepresentation in private life. The colonists felt their power and exercised it. The liberty of the press had tecome an admitted fact, and the free expression of opinion in a council of crown nominees, but still colonists, brought affairs to a crisis. With the best disposition to promote the .welfare of the colony, he was hampered by the authoritative instructions of the colonial office. The Secretary of State for the day or his subordinates were the virtual rulers of the des- tinies of a people removed to the distance of sixteen thousand miles, and existing in circumstances of which Englishmen could form no adequate conception. It took time to unde- ceive statesmen in England, but the Earl of Derby, Lord Grey, and Mr. Gladstone found their attempt to govern Australia from Downing-street a deplorable failure. The finances of the colony were embarrassed, and a " central committee " to aid the executive proffered its unconstitutional services, which were very properly rejected. The times were adverse, the price of produce was low, the labor market was overstocked, property had fallen in value, and all interests were in a state of confusion and distress. Imperial subsidies were withdrawn. In 1844 the duty on Sydney tobacco, rapidly improving in quality, was raised to that on American, and by way of retalia- tion a duty was placed on wheat—an example of mutual folly which may occur again unless the Australias be united in one general confederation. Additional taxation was deter- mined on; the ad valorem duties raised to fifteen per cent, produced less than when at five, but other measures were objected to by the nominee council, of which the Governor was president. It will scarcely be credited that the sheriff refused to call a public meeting because one of the objects was to notice the appropriation of the revenue. On the 13th October, 1846, Mr. La Trobe superseded Sir Eardley Wilmot, who died at Hobart Town on the 3rd February, 1847. Sir William Denison arrived on 26th January, 1847, and Mr. La Trobe retreated again to his government at Port Phillip. The " patriotic six " nominees who had retired from the council in a body rather than register the edict of the Secretary of State for the colonies, were re-appointed, and the struggle became more intense. A dog tax was defeated on the ground of its illegality, a judge was arbitrarily removed for the alleged reason he did not pay his debts, and another appointed in equally necessitous circumstances. The Differential Duties Act was to be contested by the merchants, and the Governor to secure a bench on which he could rely, first proposed to suspend the Chief Justice: but that being disliked by the executive council, he requested Sir John Pedder to ask leave of absence. His reply was—" Were I to accept your Excellency's proposal I should, it appears to me, be for ever after degraded, and ipso facto render myself unworthy of holding the lowest office or employment which it is in Her Majesty's power to 108 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. bestow on a subject." A Doubts bill was then passed, but it was not worth the paper it was printed on. Ultimately an indemnity for collecting illegal taxes was embodied in the Imperial Act, which conferred partial representation on the colony. The proceedings of Governor Denison were exceed- ingly unpopular. He lent himself to the mistaken policy of Downing street; and, by the inadvertent publication of some secret despatches, came to be regarded as a wholesale slanderer of the colonists; and was consequently held in great dislike by some of the most respectable and opulent amongst them. He was accused of tampering with the purity and independ- ence of the Bench; and of promoting land regulations with the avowed purpose of bribing a class to maintain an imperial policy repupnant alike to the moral feelings and material interests of the inhabitants. The Australian Colonies Govern- ment Bill was passed on 5th August, 1850, and under it, in 1851, a Legislative Council, consisting of sixteen elected members, four officials, and four non-officials, nominated by the Gover- nor, was constituted. Among Governor Denison's last acts was the suspension of H. S. Chapman, Esq., then Colonial Secre- tary, but now Attorney-General of Victoria, because he did not vote, where a vote was useless, in opposition to a large majority in the Legislative Council. Mr. Chapman, like others, failed to obtain redress at the Colonial Office, and, in accordance with the rule of that establishment, the Governor was rewarded for his preference of imperial to local interests by his removal to the government of New South Wales, in which he seems to give much satisfaction. On 8th January, 1855, he was succeeded by Sir Henry Young, from South Australia, who had much to contend with in assuming the reins of Government, but being a man of great moral courage, fixed determination, and high principles, he is exercising an important influence over the colonists, and has already been the means of effecting much good to the community. The act passed on 1st November, 1854, by the Tasmanian Legislature, received the Queen's assent in 1855; and in 1856 a Legislative Council and House of Assembly, both elective, were chosen. From that time the destinies of the island have been in the hands of the people themselves, as the semblance of interference from Downing street does not remain. The Legislative Council consists of fifteen members. The electors must be twenty-one years of age, natural born, or naturalised subjects, with a freehold of the annual value of fifty pounds, or a graduate of any university in the British dominions, or barrister or solicitor on the roll of the Supreme Court, or legally qualified medical practitioner, an officiating minister of religion, or an officer or retired officer of Her Majesty's land or sea forces. The only qualification of members is that they shall be thirty years of age. Five members, or one-third of the council, retire every three years, but are eligible for re- TASMANIA. 109 election. The House of Assembly consists of thirty members —no judge of the Supreme Court, or minister of religion is eligible. The Assembly is elected for five years. The qualifi- cations for an elector are a freehold worth £100, being a £10 householder, or the holder of a £10 licence for depasturing stock on waste land, or having a leasehold of the value of £10 yearly, or having a salary of £100 per annum, and graduates, barristers, solicitors, doctors, and ministers, as in the case of the Legislative Council. Joint tenants and owners are permitted to vote, and contractors for the public service are disqualified as members. Absence for a session without leave, oath of allegiance to a foreign power, bank- ruptcy or insolvency, default to the public, attaint of treason, conviction of felony or infamous crime, and insanity, vacates a seat in either house. Both chambers are elected by the ballot, the success of which has been signal. The absurd practice of nomination day movers and seconders at the hustings has been abolished, and the returning officer announces the names of the candidates, so that the noise and disturbance will in future be avoided. A free constitution and responsible government to its fullest extent are now enjoyed by the people of Tasmania. Some excellent laws have been passed transferring municipal authority to the districts and towns, which will be left to manage their local affairs by men chosen by the ratepayers. Perhaps the most important measures to those anxious to secure soil for a permanent home are the land acts. STATISTICAI. The reliable statistics commence with 1824. In that year the population was 12,643; the imports amounted to £62,000, and the exports to £14,500. In 1834 the population was 37,799; the imports, £467,617, and the exports, £203,522. In 1844 the population may be taken at 62,281, the census of 1842 giving 58,902, and that of 1847, 67,351; the imports being £442,988, and the exports, £408,799. In 1854 the population fell to 64,874; but the imports amounted to £2,604,680, and the exports to £1,433,021. Nothing could more completely refute the fallacy of an adverse balance of trade than the his- tory of this colony. When the country was most rapidly increasing in wealth, the proportion of exports to imports was least. In the case of an individual, it is a necessary condition to a profitable trade that he should get more for an article in which he traffics than it costs him, and it is the same with communities. A very large proportion of imports are consign- ments, and cannot be placed to the debit of the country until purchased by a colonist. The imports increased pretty regu- larly by from fifty to one hundred thousand pounds a-year until 1840, when there was an increase of £241,471 (the 110 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. imports that year being £988,356), the culminating point of our commerce prior to the discovery of gold in Australia. There was a rapid decline until 1844. Many will remember the trying times which commenced in 1840, and did not disappear till 1845, during which period houses of every character had to succumb. In 1844 the imports had fallen to £442,988, being less than they were in 1834 by £83,629. The exports increased progressively, and were largest in 1840, when they amounted to £867,000. While the exports of produce increased every year, the money worth was diminished during the disastrous times to which reference has been made. The export of im- ported articles fell off as a matter of course, and in 1844 the total exports fell to £4U8,799. Income. Expenditure. 1824 32,126 32,126 1834 142,701 117.865 1844 167,622 160,629 1864 :387,784 366,831 From 1828 to 1835 were halycon days for a finance minister. The income and expenditure balanced to a penny, or was on the right side of the ledger, for every deficiency was made up by a loan from the commissariat. In 1836, the expense incurred for the penal management was cast on the colonial govern- ment, and the police first inserted on the estimates, and thus did the country become entangled in a mesh of difficulties, and oppressed by a heavy debt expended for imperial purposes, and which is now in process of liquidation. Instead of paying the commissariat, the English Government ought to contribute largely to the revenue of the island for years to come. Alto- gether, £162,669 had been borrowed and spent up to 1846. The revenue reached its culminating point in 1841, when it amounted to £242,432. The expenditure was highest in 1842, amounting to £185,071. That year the Registrar of the Supreme Court swelled the income by depositing £5,050, funds that had accumulated in his hands, but for which the Govern- ment is responsible to the rightful owners, as they establish their claims. The customs revenue has always been the main- stay of Tasmanian finance. In 1824, the different sources of revenue were not distinguished. In 1834, the customs revenue amounted to £65,722; in 1844, it had fallen to £63,464; in 1854, it reached £171,228. The largest sum received from the customs before the gold discovery was in 1840, when it reached £94,908, after which it fluctuated, falling to £63,464 in 1844, and rising to £83,370 in 1847. Vessels inwards. Outwards. No. Tonnage. No. Tonnage. 1824 83 11,118 .... 86 11,604 1834 150 33,441 148 32,192 1844 425 68,462 .... 445 73,756 1864 1,057 198,612 1,028 200,398 These figures call for no particular remark. TASMANIA. Ill The customs revenue for three decennial years stood as below, there being no separation of the customs from the general revenue till 1827, when it stood at £23,817. 1834 £65,722 1844 63,464 1854 182,489 In 1824, there was only one vessel of 42 tons that belonged to the colony. In 1834, there were 66 vessels, of 4,437 tons; in 1844, 152 vessels, of 10,727 tons. In 1854 there is no return. The number of acres in crop is not given in an authentic form till 1828, when there were 34,033 acres in cultivation; in 1834 there were 69,041 acres ; in 1844 there were 121,938 acres; and in 1854, 127,732 acres. It is the same in reference to stock: lg28 1834 I844 1854 Horses 2,034 7,115 15,355 17,384 Horned cattle 84,476 74,075 85,802 103,752 Sheep 563,608 765,652 1,145,089 1,831,308 Goats 708 1,070 2,126 1,629 The produce for the following years is given below:— 1829. 1834. 1844. 1854. Wheat, hushels 818,641 218,348 807,924 790,688 Barley, ditto 60,664 89,487 174,405 125,835 Oats, ditto 34,166 120,247 221,105 626,547 Peas, ditto 8,776 11,483 8,658 6,665 Beans, ditto 235 646 1,072 653 Potatos, tons 5,192 7,114 13,349 23,256 Turnips, ditto 11,055 16,301 29,880 21,903 Hay, ditto 2,098 7,823 26,042 The market price of wheat in 1829 was 7s. 6d. per bushel; barley, 5s.; oats, 5s. 6d.; potatos, £6 per ton; hay, £6. In 1834, wheat was lis. 6d.; barley, 6s. 6d.; oats, 4s. 3d.; potatoes, £6; and hay, £5. In 1844, wheat is quoted at 8s. 3d. per bushel; barley, at 3s. 6d.; oats, at 2s. 6d.; potatoes, at £4; and hay, at £2 5s. In 1854, the average price of wheat, 12s. per bushel; oats, 9s.; potatoes, £20 per ton; hay, £22. The average price of meat in 1824 was 4^d. per lb.; in 1834, 3d. and 9-16ths per lb.; in 1844, 2\d. per lb.; in 1854, 6d. per lb. The population is given as subjoined : — 1824. 1834. 1844. 1854. Males 9,694 27,029 39,604 43,127 Females 2,949 10,770 »17,816 726,482 12,643 37,799 67,420 68,609 The rate of wages to bricklayers, carpenters, and masons, was, in 1826, 12s. a-day; in 1834, 7s. 6d. a-day; in 1844, 5s. a-day; and in 1854, 15s. a-day. In 1824 there were 3. breweries, 1 distillery, 2 fellmongers 5 flour mills, 1 printing office, 1 ropemaker, 1 sailmalier, 1 saw mill, 1 soap manufactory, and 6 tanners. In 1834 there were 9 Consus for 1842. t Census for 1851. 112 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. 8 agricultural implement makers, 13 breweries, 3 candle manu- factories, 7 cooperages, 2 coachmakers, 3 distillers, 2 dyers, 3 engineers, 3 fellmongers, 2 foundries, 1 furrier, 1 mast and block manufactory, 1 steam mill, 40 water and wind mills, 1 pottery, 6 printing offices, 1 ropemaker, 3 sailmakers, 2 saw mills, 4 shipwrights, 1 snuff manufactory, 1 soap manufactory, 1 sugar boiler, 12 tanners, an I 2 wool staplers. In 1844 there were 71 agricultural implement makers, 40 brewers, 10 candle manufactories, 15 cooperages, 7 coach makers, 3 dyers, 13 engineers, 32 fellmongers, 5 foundries, 1 farrier, 2 mast and block makers, 15 steam mills. 53 wind and water mills, 2 pot tcries, 9 printing offices, 4 rope makers, 7 sail makers, 2 saw mills, 10 shipwrights, 1 soap maker, 30 tanners, 1 pianoforte maker, 3 woolstaplers. In 1854 there were 21 agricultural implement makers, 19 auctioneers, 102 bakers, 15 basket makers, 144 blacksmiths, 1 bone dust manufacturer, 6 brass founders, 42 brewers, 71 bricklayers, 43 builders, 151 butchers, 38 cabinet makers and joiners, 9 candle manufactories, 109 carpenters, 4 carvers and gilders, 22 chemists, 6 cider makers, 6 coach makers, 13 cooperages, 20 corn and ship chandlers, 1 dyer, 15 engineers, 28 fellmongers, 5 foundries, 9 furriers, 343 general dealers, 6 glue and size makers, 1 gold beater, 48 grocers, 7 gunsmiths, 21 ironmongers, 13 maltsters, 9 mast and block makers, 51 mills (wind and water,), 23 steam mills, 41 painters and glaziers, 31 pastry cooks. 2 pianoforte makers, 4 potteries, 13 printing offices, 378 publicans, 2 rope makers, 9 sail makers, 16 saw mills, 25 shipwrights and boatbuilders, 254 shoe makers, 4 soap boilers, 1 starch manufactory, 55 stonemasons, 84 tailors, 27 tanners, 31 tin workers, 16 tobacco- nists, 10 turners, 22 watchmakers, 72 wheelwrights, 30 wine merchants, 7 woolstaplers. The post-office belonged to a private individual up to 1832. 1834. 1844. 1854. Number of Offices 27 43 65 Pel sons employed 60 71 96 Extent of Roads (miles) 434 674 679 Letters forwarded from Hobart 77.560 177,717 231,597 Newspapers 84,32 1 216,230 218,000 Letters received at Hobart 73,430 145,350 204,414 The following is the number of places of worship in the years named :— 1824. 1834. 1844. 1854. Episcopal 2 12 47 Presbyterian 1 2 10 Roman Catholics... 1 1 3 g Wfsleyans 2 24 s Independents 1 12 g Baptists 2 o Totals 4 18 98 The statistical returns for 1857 are not yet perfected, and it is necessary to fall back upon those for 1856, with the excep- TASMANIA. 113 tion of the figures actually furnished by the census of 31st March, 1857, by which it appears the population consisted of 32,171 adult males, and 21,288 adult females, with 27,343 chil- dren under 14 years of age, and 690 military, including women and children; making a grand total of 81,492 souls. In 1856 only six male and ten female aborigines survived the scanty remnant of what was a large population fifty years ago. There were 6760 houses built of stone, brick, or iron; 8258 built of wood; one wooden and 14 iron steamers belonged to the Tasmanian ports; one coach runs daily between Hobart Town and Launceston, 121 miles, including the intermediate towns, and another six times a week. There is a daily coach from Hobart Town to each of the following places—Green Ponds, New Norfolk, Brighton and Brown's River; and from Launceston to Westbury and Deloraine, Perth, Longford, and Evandale, beside other conveyances. There were six light- houses in 1856, yielding a revenue of £5515 The coin in the colony amounted to £507,914. Up to the end of the year 1856, 2,843,365 acres had been granted or sold, and 2,009,477 were held under depasturing licenses at a rent of £25,478 per an- num. In 1856 there were 130,603, acres under crop, 18,019 horses, 88,608 horned cattle, 1,674,987 sheep, 2225 goats, 30,074 pigs, &c. There were 55 wind and water mills, and 28 steam mills, 13 printing offices, 400 publicans, and other trades in the same proportion. There were 71 public schools, 3717 scholars, maintained at an expense of £11,857 17s. 4d. The price of bread was 2J per lb., fresh butter 2s. 3d., coffee 2s. 3d., tea 2s. 9d., moist sugar 4Jd., loaf sugar 7id., tobacco 5s. per lb., beef and mutton 7d. per lb. The revenue of Hobart Town Municipality for the year was £18,210, the expenditure £15,945 —Launceston: revenue, £6649; expenditure, £5777. There were 221 boys and 176 girls in the Queen's Orphan School. In order to place the trade of the island of Tasmania before the reader, at one glance, the figures commencing with the year after gold was discovered in Australia are tabulated :— Vessels inwds. Vessels outwd. Imports. Exports. RevonueJ Expen- i diture. Yra. No. Tonnage No. Tonnage 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 791 1024 1057 885 934 1021 135,470 192,420 198,612 161,212 167,826 164,008 824 135,989 999 188,279 860,488 2,273,397 2,604,680 1,559,797 1,442,106 1,271,087 1,609,883 1,757,596 1,433,021 1,428,629 1,207,202 1,354,655 £181,079 £177,462 348,503 191,443 387,784 336,331 405,352 606,973 398,218 424,074 428,973 395,633 1028 200,398 871 169,266 945 166,396 1031 167,058 The Custom House records of the port of Launceston do not extend farther back than 1829, in which year 36 vessels 8571 tons entered inwards; 40 vessels 3863 tons cleared outwards; the imports were valued at £61,174, the exports at £54,932; and the revenue was £10,326 7s. 4d. In 1884 there were 42 114 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. vessels 6887 tons inwards, and 45 vessels 6490 tons outwards. The value of the imports that year was £115,942, and the exports £85,909, the revenue £21,046 2s. 6d. In 1844 179 vessels 22,146 tons entered inwards, 187 vessels 24,301 tons cleared outwards. The imports amounted to £152,464, and the exports to £217,571, the revenue that year being £24,932 1l s. 8d. In 1854 413 vessels 70,020 tons entered inwards, and 393 vessels 70,492 tons cleared outwards; the imports being £780,744, and the exports £714,546, while the revenue amounted to £66,491 3s. Id. We subjoin in a tabular form the trade of the ports of Hobart Town and Launceston for the ast six years, which covers the field over which the gold discoveries spread. PORT OF LAUNCESTON. Years. Vessels inwards. Vessels outwds. Imports. -— Exports. No. Tonnage No. Tonnage. 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1867 336 3=4 413 375 403 474 49,233 70,093 70,020 58,515 64,647 68,480 352 875 393 366 413 478 49,914 69,726 70,492 59,056 63,579 69,087 £224,266 086,057 780,744 492,628 467,680 458,921 £482,370 639.747 714,546 69C.379 632,567 094,185 PORT OF HOBART TOWN. 1852 455 86,237 472 86,075 636,222 1,022,513 1863 640 122,327 624 118,553 1,587,340 1,117,849 718.475 1854 644 128,592 635 129,906 100,200 1,823,936 738,250 1855 510 102,702 605 1,067,169 1856 631 103,179 632 102,817 974,526 675,235 1857 647 105,528 651 107,371 812,106 660,470 The estimates of the expenditure for the year 1858, are as follows :—general expenditure, £143.529"15s. Id.; local expen- diture, £62,342 3s. 2d.; land fund, £50,929 4s. 2d. Total, £256,801 2s. 5d. LAND REGTJIATT.01TS. Population only is required to develop the resources of this island, and the recent land acts are calculated to attract small capitalists, who also themselves possess laboring capabilities or have them within the family circle. The Waste Land of the Crown is divided into three classes—1st. Town Lands situate within the limits of any town or township, or within five miles of the boundaries of either Hobart Town or Launceston; the upset price not to be less than one pound per acre, and the town land to be sold by auction only, and not otherwise. The second class is called Agricultural Land, and may be TASMANIA. 115 said to comprise all the other unalienated soil within the settled districts, and liable to be increased by fresh proclamations of suitable land for the plough, in any direction where it may be discovered. The lowest upset price is one pound per acre, and the land will be put up for sale by auction in lots not exceeding 160 acres: if not sold by auction they may be privately pur- chased at the upset price. Until 1853 agricultural land was given in quantities not exceeding 640 acres to each person, at £1 per acre, payable in 10 years, a small charge being made for surveying and interest. The third division comprises Pastoral Lands which will be put up for sale in lots not exceeding 1280 acres each. The lowest upset price is ten shillings per acre. If not disposed of at auction they may be purchased privately at the upset price. Both agricultural and pastoral lands may be sold by private contract. Any person, upon payment of the expense of survey, has a right to purchase, at a fixed price of one pound per acre, one section containing not more than 320 acres of agricultural land and 640 of pastoral land. This arrangement completely obviates the delay, un- certainty, competition, and injustice of the auction system, and enables the bond fide colonist to select his site and enter upon it at once. But this is not all: lands purchased at public auction or private contract may be paid for in cash or a credit obtained. For town lands a tenth is added to the price as premium: one-fourth is the deposit and one-fourth payable annually thereafter, so that the credit would spread over three years. Upon the price of agricultural and pastoral lands one- fifth is added as premium,—the deposit is a fifth, and the annual payments one-tenth, so that the credit is spread over eight years. But more than this: about one-third of the island is little known, being designated "Unsettled." Any one who lights upon a favorable spot, and is willing to plunge into the bush and live there, may have land for nothing. The conditions are that the plot applied for shall not be less than 50 nor more than 640 acres,—that the applicant shall possess one pound of capital for every acre of land applied for, either in money, live stock, machinery, implements of husbandry, and other articles applicable to agricultural purposes or to sawing timber,—he shall for five years actually reside on the spot, and clear, fence, and bring into cultivation five acres for every fifty, or erect buildings or machinery of the value of £250 for every such fifty acres, In the event of death the property will decend to the heirs. Upon the full performance of the conditions, a deed of grant in fee simple will be issued, and the holder may then do what he likes with the property. If he prefer he may at any time make the land absolutely his own by payment of ten shillings an acre, and thus cancel the conditions of occupation. Not more than ten thousand acres may be let for a term of ten years, at a peppercorn lent, on 116 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. condition that the applicant place on the land within twelve months 100 sheep or 20 head of cattle for every one thousand acres. The pre-emptive right of purchase, to the extent of 640 acres, is secured at the rate of ten shillings an acre with compensation for improvements if the run he required for agricultural purposes before the expiry of the lease. The survey fee for 50 acres in the settled districts is £4,—-if in heavily timbered country, £5; for 320 acres, £11 or £18 15s.; 640 acres, £13, or £16 5s.; and so on in proportion, according to size of section. This is by far the most liberal land system that exists in Australia at the present time. The gross receipts of the land fund during the quarter ending 31st March, 1858, were £91,577 9s. Id., and the expen- diture, £54,275 3s, leaving a balance of £37,302 6s. Id. The quarter just past shows an advance on the corresponding quarter of 1857 of £7695 15s. 2d. The government are taking steps to facilitate the operation of the new land regulations. The island has been divided into districts, to each of which a surveyor is to be appointed, who will show the maps and give all necessary information. A considerable quantity of land has been taken up already. CHARACTER AND PRODUCTIONS OF THE VARIOUS DISTRICTS. Though throughout the colony the settlers are all engaged in agriculture, in sheep and cattle farming, or in cutting of timber, certain districts have a more marked character than others in the nature of their productions, and the occupation of their in- habitants. Thus on the north-western coast where dense forests are being cleared by numerous small settlers extending from the Mersey to Circular Head, large quantities of excellent tim- ber, potatoes, and agricultural produce are shipped either direct to Melbourne or to Launceston. Along the coast to the east- ward of the Tamar are some considerable sheep farms: south- ward and westward of Launceston, extending for many miles in both directions, lies the greatest agricultural district of the island, comprising Morven, Norfolk Plains, Westbury and Deloraine, which produce vast quantities of wheat, oats, barley, meat and dairy produce, which are carried to Launceston and shipped to the adjoining colonies. As the traveller proceeds southward along the main road to Hobart Town, into what are called the Midland Districts, he passes through large estates on which sheep-farming is carried on to a large extent, and with great success, as shewn by the large quantities and superior quality of the wool annually sent to the London market. As the traveller continues his journey he again enters an agricul- tural country Southward of Hobart Town lies the district known as the Huon, remarkable for the density of its forests, and for its potatoes, quantities of which are sent to the adjoin- TASMANIA. 117 Ing colonies. Its climate is moist and congenial to vegetation. On the eastern coast butter and cheese of the best quality are produced. There are several coal-fields in the island, viz., the Mersey and the Don, on the north coast, Fingal, New Town, Douglas River, Schouten Island, and Port Arthur. Of the fif- teen or sixteen millions of acres which the island contains, about three millions are private property: the remainder is crown land, of which about two millions of acres are occupied by the settlers under grazing licenses. The area under culti- vation at present is about 140,000 acres. The soil and climate are highly favorable to English fruits and vegetables of all kinds ; and in the public gardens at Hobart Town and Laun- ceston may be seen plants, both English and foreign, which at home require the shelter of the conservatory, flourishing with all their native luxuriance in the open air. GENERAL APPEARANCE AND CONDITION OF THE TOWNS. The person who comes to Tasmania arrives either at the port of Launceston, in the north, or Hobart Town, in the south, which are the chief outlets for the shipping and com- merce of the island. If the immigrant arrives at Launceston, he passes up the Tamar, a beautiful river (navigable for vessels of the largest tonnage), or, rather, the estuary of two inland rivers, which empty themselves into it at Launceston, forty miles from its entrance. The town is situated in a valley, en- closed on the east and west by two hills, and, both from the river and the surrounding elevations, its appearance is highly picturesque. If the vessel which bears the passenger arrives at Hobart Town, he will be carried up the Derwent, a noble river, for about forty miles, until he reaches the city, where it is still three miles wide. The capital rises from the verge of the arm of the sea at Sullivan's Cove, gradually as- cending up the slopes of seven moderately elevated hills, and is magnificently backed in its western aspect, at the distance of three or four miles, by the lofty mountain named after Wel- lington, which is 4,195 feet high. As the traveller extends his acquaintance with the interior of the country, he will often discover the same charms of natural scenery in the sites of towns and villages, and the homes of the colonists; and when he stops to examine the signs of social and commercial ad- vancement, he will find ample evidence of the progress made by the people. In Hobart Town, in Launceston, and in the interior towns and villages, he will find clergymen, mer- chants, professional gentlemen, shopkeepers, master tradesmen, mechanics, and many Government officers, and others of character certainly equal to those in a similar position in other countries. Hobart Town and Launceston contain numerous places of worship of all denominations, and in every district 118 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. of the interior there are one or more ministers. Schools of excellent character, under able conductors, are to be found throughout the colony. There are others, also, established with assistance from public funds, wherever a sufficient number of children is to be found, and much anxiety and liberality are manifested by the Government and the inhabi- tants in promoting religion and education. There are many institutions, which are noted in succeeding pages. The princi- pal towns and the interior abound with excellent hotels and inns. Both Hobart Town and Launceston are well supplied with pure water. The former town is lighted with gas, and a company to effect the same object for Launceston is in course of formation. The local affairs of both towns are managed by a mayor and aldermen. In the general appear- ance of the towns, the stranger will trace a resemblance to some of corresponding size in the old country; the streets, which are of considerable and regular width, are drawn at right angles, and whilst many of them are built with regularity, and have some architectural pretensions, others display all the variety of style and material which mark the colonial town. Some of the churches, banks, the High School at Hobart Town, and the principal shops, would do credit to any city. There are three daily, and one tri-weekly, newspapers, pub- lished in Hobart Town: and one daily, one tri- weekly, and one bi-weekly, published in Launceston. The shops are constantly supplied with English goods of all kinds, and the productions of our Eastern possessions. FARMING. The Tasmanian settlers are extensively employed in pastoral and agricultural pursuits; and wool and wheat form the two great staple productions. The adaptability of the climate and the soil to these important purposes has long been established, whilst the excellence of the products is known throughout the world. Sheep farming is carried on to a large extent on the estates of the principal landowners, who also lease from the crown largo tracts of unalienated land. The pastoral territory presents either the alternate fall or rise of a smooth, undulating surface, sometimes running into flats, or one broken and riven, terminating in deep gullies or steep ridges. The Eucalypti. with its everlasting olive-green foliage, uniformly covers the surface, and the character of the forest prevents the vegetation of the grasses from being impeded. In some parts this vegeta- tion is luxurious beyond description, and extends from the level of the sea to the highest altitudes. The abundance and excellence of the pasture, combined with the mildness of the climate, facilitate the operations of pastoral industry ; and on the estates of many colonists these natural advantages have been further improved by the importation from England and TASMANIA. 121 months a submarine cable across Bass's straits will connect Tasmania with the colonies of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. BATES OF WAGES. The following are the current rates of wages:—joiners 10s. to ,12s. per day; painters 10s. to 12s ; carpenters 10s. to 12s; plasterers 10s. to 12s.; plasterers' laborers 6s. to 7s: bricklayers 12s. to 14s.: bricklayers' laborers 7s. to 8s.; masons 12s. to 14s. masons' laborers 7s. to 8s.; quarrymen 14s. to 16s.; blacksmiths 10s. to 12s.; shipwrights 10s. to 12s.; tailors 10s. to 12s.; wheel- wrights 10s. to 14s.; compositors 14d. per thousand; pressmen 3/.3s. per week; bakers 21. to 2/.10s.; cabinet-makers 2/.10s. to SI.; male servants 30/. to 40/. per annum (found) ; cooks 30/. to 50.; coachmen 30/. to 50/.; grooms 301. to 50/.; gardeners 50/. to 60/.; female cooks 30/. to 40/.; married couples 50/. to 60/; general female servants 20/. to 22/.; housemaids 18/. to 20/.; laundresses 26/. to 30/.; nursemaids 14/. to 16/.; farm laborers, per annum, with rations, 30/. to 40/.; ditto married couples, 50.to 60/.; bullock drivers 40/. to 45/.; ploughmen 40/. to 50/.; shepherds 25/. to 30/ ; ditto with families 50/. to 55/. The following is the scale of rations for agricultural servants:— Flour, 12 lbs. to 14 lbs,; meat, 10 lbs. to 14 lbs.; sugar 2 lbs.; tea, ilb. weekly. PRICES OF NECESSARIES OF LIFE. The following are the prices of the common articles of domestic consumption:—beef, 4d. to 8d.; mutton, 5d. to 6d.; veal, 8d. to l0d.; pork, l0d. to Is. per lb.; lamb, 3s. 6d. to 4s. per quarter; ham, Is. 4d. to Is. 6d. per lb.; bacon, Is. 4d.; cheese, Is. 6d.; butter, fresh, 2s. 6d.; potted ditto, 2s.; eggs, 3s. per dozen; candles, 8d. per lb.; soap, 5d.; bread, 9d. per 4-lb. loaf; potatoes, 61bs. Is.; tea, 2s. per lb.; sugar, 5d. Wearing ap- parel and cloth, being imported, are of course not so cheap as at home, but are reasonable in price. Cottages may be obtained at from 10s. to 20s. per week; ordinary lodgings 20s. to 25s. per week. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RECEPTION OF IMMIGRANTS. Satisfactory arrangements are made for the reception of immi- grants coming to this colony by means of the bounty tickets issued by the colonial government. At Hobart Town and G 122 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Launceston officers are appointed and depots for their reception are provided. The information published by the government, states, that " careful provision is made for the protection and advantageous settlement of female immigrants not under the charge of relatives. The ship is on arrival immediately inspected by the Immigration Officer, by whom the capabi- lities and wishes of each woman with regard to employment are ascertained. The women are then landed in government boats, and admitted to a large and commodious building, where beds, provisions, and other advantages are provided for them. Here they remain for some days to wash their clothes and make preparation for service, in charge of an experienced matron, under the direction of the Immigration Officer. Persons who wish to obtain their services are re- quired to make written application; on which printed 'authorities' are transmitted to approved applicants, who on presenting them at the depot are at liberty to make arrange- ments with the immigrants by mutual consent; the women receiving such advice and information as they may require. No person is permitted to hire any female from the depot without the 'authority' above mentioned; and as this is sen only to those who are known to be suitable employers, no young woman can fall into improper hands on first arrival in this colony." GOVERNMENT, LAW, &c. GOVERNMENT.—Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief: His Excel- lency Sir Henry Edward Fox Young, K.C.B, Knt., Private Secretary and Aide-de-Camp: H. Maule, A. C. G. THE MINISTRY.—Premier: The Hon. Francis Smith (Attorney Gene- ral). Colonial Secretary: The Hon. William Henty. Colonial Treasurer: The Hon Frederick M. Innes; and (without office) the Hon. W. P. Weston, John Walker and R. Q. Kermode. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. — The Governor and the Ministry. Clerk: R. C. C. Eardley Wilmot. PARLIAMENT. — Legislative Cotocil. — Composed of fifteen Mem- bers for twelve districts. President: The Hon. Thos. Home, puisne judge. Chairman of Committees: The Hon. W. E. Nairn. Members: Jordan (1), Ed. Bisdee; Huon (1), Richd. Cleburne; Longford (1), W. P. Weston ; Hobart (3), Jno. Walker, E. S. P. Bedford, Thos. Home; Meander (1), W. E. Nairn ; Cambridge (1), F. Burgess; North Esk (1), J. H. Wedge; Tamar (2), W. Henty, W. S. Button; Buckingham (1), T. Y. Lowes; South Esk (1), P. H. Gell; Derwent (1), W. Langdon; Pembroke (1), J. Whyte. Clerk of the Council: R. C. C. Eardley Wilmot. Usher of the Black Rod: Major Fraser. House op Assembly.—Composed of thirty Members for twenty-four districts. Speaker: The Hon. Captain Michael Fenton. Chairman of Committees: Robert Officer, Esq. Members: Hobart (5), M. Miller, T. D. Chapman, W. Boys, R. W. Nutt, J. Dunn; Clarence (1), E. Abbott; Franklin (1), J. D. Balfe; Kingboro' (1), A. Nicholas; Glenorchy (1), R. Officer; Queensboro' (1), D. McPherson; Richmond (1), T. G. Gregson; Sorell (1), A. Morrison ; Brighton (1), H. Butler; Deloraint (1), A. F. Rooke Morven (1), F. M. Innes; Westbury (1), T. Field; Fingal (1), F. Smith; TASMANIA. 123 George Town (1), C. S. Henty; New Norfolk (1), M. Fenton; Norfolk Plains (1), J. C. Gregson ; Ringwood (1), K. Q. Kermode; Selby g), R. C. Gtinn; Campbelltown (1), W. R. Allison; Cumberland (1), T. L. Gelli- brand; Devon (1), J. A. Gibson ; Launceston (3), J. Crookes, J. Matthews, A. Gierke; Glamorgan (1), C. Meredith; Oatlands (1), H. F. Anstey. House Clerk: F. H. Henslowe. Sergeant-at-Arms: R. Power, LAW.—Chief Justice: Sir Valentine Fleming, Knight. Puisne Judge The Hon. Thomas Horne. Attorney-General and Solicitor-General: F- Smith and T. J. Knight. Crown Solicitor and Clerk of the Peace: W. L. Dobson. Recorder and Commissioner of Court of Requests—Hobart Joseph Hone; ditto at Launceston: John Whltefoord. Master and Registrar of Supreme Court: William Sorell. Commissioners of Insol- vent Courts :—Hobart: Fielding Brown; Launceston: W. G. Sams. Chairman of Caveat Board, F. H. Henslowe. Vice-Admiralty Court— Judge and Commissary, Sir V. Fleming, Knight, C.J.; Registrar, W. Sorell.; Marshal, J. Watkins. Clerk to Supreme Court, J. A. Watkins. NOTARIES. — Notaries Public, Hobart—Messrs. Sutton, Nutt, Cart- wright, Dobaon, and Allport. Launceston—Messrs. Grubb, W. Henty, W. Douglas, R. Gleadow, Dawes, and Sams. MILITARY.—Commander of the Forces: Major Hutchins, 12th foot. Assistant Adjutant-General, Lieutenant-Colonel Bradshawe. Commanding Royal Engineers: Lt.-Col. Robert G. Hamilton. Barrack Master: Captain Mac Kay. Deputy Military Storekeeper, R. Douglas. COMMISSARIAT.—Assistant Commissary General in Charge: Stephen Owen. Deputy Assistant Commissary Generals: H. Maule and J. H. Sale. Cashier: T. Boot. CORONERS.—Hobart: Algernon B. Jones; Launceston: W. Gunn. CONSULS.—Consuls at Hobart—For United States, D. McPherson; for France, W. Lempriere; for Denmark and Portugal, L. Roope; for Hanover, E. Marwedel. At Launceston—For United States, J. Crookes; for Prussia, W. Henty. MISCELLANEOUS. — GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.—Surveyor- General; James Sprent, Director of Public Works: W. P. Kay. Secretary to the Board of Education: Murray Burgess. Inspector of Schools: Major Cotton. Colonial Auditor: E.J. Manley. Government Printer: James Barnard. Accountant of Stores: J. D. Loch. Assistant Colonial Secretary, T. B. Solly. Assistant Colonial Treasurer: T. V. Jean. Superintendent of Aborigines at Oyster Cove: J. Dandridge. Collector of Customs—Hobart: Henry D'Arch ; Launceston: J. Burnett. Staff Officers of Pensioners— Hobart: Captain Russell; Launceston: Major Russell. Lloyds' Agents— Hobart: T. D. Chapman; Launceston, Du Croz and Co. LIEUTENANT-GOVERNORS AND GOVERNORS-IN-CHIEF.—1804 to 1810. Lieut.-Governor Collins; 1810 to 1812, Acting Governors', Lord and Murray; 1812 to 1818, Acting Governor Gells; 1813 to 1817, Lieut.-Gover- nor Davey; 1817 to 1824, Lieut.-Governor Sorell; 1824 to 1836. Lieut. - Governor Arthur (4 days in 1825, Governor-io-Chief Darling); 1830 to 1837, Acting Lieut.-Governor Snodgrass; 1837 to 1843, Lieut.-Governor Sir J. Franklin; 1843 to 1846, Lieut.-Governor Sir E. Wilmot; 1846 to 1847, Act- ing Governor Latrobe; 1847 to 1855, Lieut.-Governor Sir W. Denison; 1855 to date, Sir H. E. F. Young. POPULATION.—On 31st March, 1857: males, 45,916; females, 34,886; total, 80,802; number of houses, 18,018. Also, 600 military, including women and children. POLICE MAGISTRATES.—Hobart Town, William Tarlcton, visiting Clarence Plains and Kingston; Franklin Edward Atkyns Walpole, visiting the district of Kingborough, with the exception of King ton ; Richmond and Sorell, Charles O. E. W. Wilmot, visiting Brighton; Campbell Town and Oatlands, Thomas Mason; Hamilton and Bothwell, A. McDowall. Launceston, W. Gunn; Longford and Morven, Charles Arthur; Port Sorell, W. T. Noyes; George Town, J. Whitefoord; Horton, H. T. A. Murray, visiting Emu Bay district; Westbury, J. P. Jones, visiting G 2 124 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Carrlck; Glamorgan, E. C. Shaw, Visiting Maglstiate ; Sprinp Bay ,H. J. Vlcary, Visiting Magistrate. Inspector-General of Police, John Forster, J. P. Superintendents: Hobart, F. J. Weale; Launceston, J. O'Connor. SHERIFFS.—Sheriff: The Hon. W. E. Nairn. Under Sheriffs: Hobart —T. J. Crouch. Launceston—W. G. Sams. PENAL.—Comptroller-General: The Hon. W. E. Nairn. Chief Clerk: J. Kerr. Civil Commandant—Port Arthur: James Boyd. Superinten- dent — Impression Bay: R. T. Stuart. Superintendent of Prisoners Barracks, and Keeper of House of Correction for Males, Hobart: Thomas P. Reidy. Keeper of Cascade Factory, Hobart (for Females): R. Atkins. Officer in charge of Brickfields Nursery: J. C. Peel. Visiting Magistrate to Convict Establishments, Hobart: E. S. P. Bedford. Superintendent of Penal Establishments, Launceston: C. J. Irvine. Queen's Orphan School, New Town—Superintendent: Algernon Burdett Jones. Chaplain: Rev. T. J. Ewing. Medical Officer: E. S. P. Bedford. GAOLS—Hobart—Keeper of Males: Thos. P. Reldy. Females: R. Atkins. Launceston: C. J. Irvine. Oatlands: J. Pain. Campbelltown: J. Musslewhite. New Norfolk: J. Morey. Richmond: S. McNeilly. Longford: J. Gomley. IMMIGRATION OFFICERS.—Hobart: J. D. Loch; Launceston: W. G. Sams. Emigration Officer and Shipping Master: Captain Henniker Launceston. COMMISSIONERS OF IMMIGRATION.—The Colonial Secretary for the time being ; the Colonial Treasurer for the time being; Henry Butler, Askin Morrison, and Thomas D. Chapman. Secretary, F. C. Tribe. BOARD OF EDUCATION.—South—Hon. W. E. Nairne; Hon. E. 8. P. Bedford; Henry Button; Robert Officer; and G. W. Walker. North— R. C. Gunn; James Aikenhead; J. W. Gleadow; C. A. W. Rocher; W. K. o'Keefe ; and W. Cleveland. EDUCATION,—In Southern Electoral Districts in 1856, there were forty-six Schools, with 2577 Scholars. In Northern Electoral Districts, twenty-four Schools, with 1140 Scholars. The expenses were £12,922 16s. 5d. ; balance in excess of vote, £2636 7s. Id. H. C. Cotton, Inspector of Schools. Murray Burgess, Secretary Southern Board of Education. MARINE BOARD.—South—The Mayor of Hobart Town; the Collector of Customs; William Crosby, Crawford Mayne Maxwell, Henry Boate Tonkin, Wardens; C. M. Maxwell, Senior Warden. North—The Mayor of Launceston; the Collector of Customs; R. Green, G. Gilmore, A. Macnaughtan, Wardens; G. Gilmore, Senior Warden; G. Boothroyd, E-q., Clerk. MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.—Hobakt Town—Mayor: Osmond Henry Gilles. Town Cierk : J.K. Winterbottom. City Surveyor : Thomas Browne. Launceston — Mayor: Henry Dowling. Town Clerk: James Henry. Town Surveyor: George Babington. MEDICAL.—Principal Medical Officer and Deputy Inspector of Hos- pitals: Thomas Atkinson, M.D., Hobart. Purveyor: J. T. Cox. Hobart Town. General Hospital: Doctors Eckford and Brock. Convict Esta- blishments—Hobart, Prisoners' Barracks: F. G. Brock, C. S. Cascade Fac- tory: W. Benson, C. S. (and for the Gaols, Hobart.) New Norfolk Lunatic Asylum, Surgeon Superintendent: G. F. Huston, M.D. Port Arthur: T. C. Brownell. Impression Bay Invalid Depot: W. Seccombe, C. S. Cornwall Hospital and Infirmary, Launceston—Surgeon Superintendent: Dr. Miller. St. Mary's Hospital, Hobart—House Surgeon, Jas. Jackson. POST OFFICE.—Hobart Town—Postmaster-General: F. M. Innes, corner of Elizabeth and Collins-streets. Launceston—Postmaster, St. John E. Browne, George-street. All letters and packets (newspapers alone excepted) posted at any of the post-offices of this colony, must be prepaid by means of adhesive stamps, which may be procured at the various post-offices throughout the colony, and of the principal booksellers in Hobart Town and Launceston. Letters and packets to be forwarded from one part of the colony TASMANIA. 125 to another, and ship letters and packets to be transmitted beyond seas, to any of the Australian or other colonies and India, must bear a stamp to the value of sixpence, for every half-ounce or portion thereof in weight. ESTIMATES.—General Expenditure for 1858—His Excellency the Governor, 40002.; The Establishment, 25002.; Legislative Council, 17102.; House of Assembly, 49662.; Colonial Secretary's Department, 29532.; Colonial Treasurer, 29532.; Audit, 17582.; Customs, 92522.; Post Office, 28,6312.; Accountant of Stores, 7362. ; Public Works, 93802. ; Government Printer, 40592.; Registrar of Births, &c., 7032. 10s.; Electric Telegraph, 23352.; Lunatic Asylum, 87972.; Education, 18092. 12s. Id.; Judicial, 24,2492.6s. Ecclesastical.—Church of England, 93102. ; Church of Scotland, 30702.; Church of Rome, 17 552. ; Grant for Wesleyan Missions, 6002.; ditto Jewish Church, 1602.; total, 15,0002. Pensions, 68302. Is. 8d,; Charitable Allowances, 14,0002.; Grants in aid of Public Institutes, 8002.; Convict Discipline, 83002. ; Miscellaneous, 49752. Total, £146,224 Is. 3d. Local Expenditure for 1858.—Police in twenty-one districts, 37,6322. 12s. 2d.; Gaols, 99632. 10s. ; Inspector of Stock, 752. ; Charitable Allowances, 11502.; Grants in aid of Public Institutions, 10602.; Coroners' Inquests, 9832.; Education, 12,000. Total, £62,764 2s. 2d. Land Fund.—Various items in connection with the establishments, £50,049 4s. 2d. ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—Open between Hobart Town and Launces- ton, 121 miles. Office hours, from 8 a.m. to6 p.m. Inspector of Telegraphs and Superintendent at Hobart Town, W. H. Butcher. Superintendent at Launceston, G. Butcher. A station is now erected at George Town, in charge of Mr. J. Duigan, by which communication is extended to the Tamar Heads. No charge for date, address, or signature. Mes- sages must be written with ink, in a clear and legible manner, and bear a proper date, address, and genuine signature. Messages delivered free of charge within one mile of the office; over that distance, porterage charged; or if delivered on shipboard, an extra charge to cover boat expenses. Messages transmitted in the order of reception; precedence for government despatches, police service, and ca9es of sickness cr death. All messages strictly confidential. Payment in advance will be required, except for replies to interrogatory messages on which may have been written the words, "Reply paid for." It is desirable that figures should be avoided, and words substituted. From or to Hobart Town and Launceston, for not exceeding ten words, 3s.; for every additional word, 2d. ECCLESIASTICAL. CHURCH OF ENGLAND.—Bishop of Tasmania: The Rt. Rev. Francis Russell Nixon, D.D. Archdeacons—Hobart Town: Ven. R. R. Davies, A.M. Launceston: Ven. W. Tancred, M.A. ; Senior Chaplain, St. John's, Rev. W. H. Browne, L.L.D.; Chaplain Trinity Church, Rev. F. Hales. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.—Hobart Town: The Rev. R. TV. Wilson, D.D., Bishop of Hobart Town. The Vicar-General: Very Rev. William Hall. Launceston: Revs. J. Butler, J. Lucas. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.—Moderator: Rev. A. Turnbull, D.D. M.D. Clerk : Rev. R. Russell, Revds. J. Lillle, D.D., and Rev. R.M'Lean, M.A. Launceston—Rev. R. K. Ewing. WESLEYAN CHURCH.—Hobart Town: Rev. John Cope. Launceston: Rev. T. B. Harris. Horton College: Rev. J. A. Manton. INDEPENDENT CHURCHES.—Hobart Town: Revds. F. Miller, G. Clarke, and J. Nisbet. Launceston: Revds. C. Price and W. Law. FREE CHURCH.—Hobart Town — Moderator: Rev. W. Nicholson. Launceston—Rev. J.Lindsay. Oatlands: Rev. L. Campbell. BAPTIST CHURCHES.—Hobart Town—(vacant). Launceston—Rev. Henry Dowling. BETHEL.—Supplied by various Ministers. 126 HANDBOOK TO AUSTr ALASIA. JEWISH 8YNAGOGUES.—Hobart Town—P( jident: S. Moses. Tins. surer: P.Levy. Secretary: P. Moss. Reader: 3. Jones. Launceston— President: Aid. Cohen. Treasurer: B. Nathan. Reader: H. L9. Harris. BANES AND PUBLIC C MPANLES. THE BANKING ESTABLISHMENTS.—Hobart Town—Bank of Van Diemen's Land, T. Giblin, manager ; discount days, Monday and Thursday at twelve. Commercial Bank, James Alfred Dunn, manager, discounts daily at twelve. Bank of Australasia, George MaSson, manager ; discount days, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at noon. Union Bank of Australia, N. Gresley, manager; discount days, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Savings' Bank, G. W. Walker, Actuary; deposits received daily from ten till three. On Saturdays, deposits received until nine. Launceston— Commercial Bank, George Dean, manager; discounts daily at twelve. Bank of Australasia, C. Thomson, manager ; discount days, Monday and Friday at twelve. Union Bank of Australia, J. G. Jennings, manager; discount days, Monday and Friday at twelve. Bank of Tasmania, Francis Evans, manager; discount days, Monday and Thursday at twelve. Savings9 Bank, H. Dowling, actuary; deposits daily. INSURANCE COMPANIES.—Hobarton—Hobart Town and Launceston Marine, Thomas Macdowell, manager, discounts daily; Tasmania Fire and Life, Thomas Macdowell, discounts daily ; Derwent and Tamar Fire, Life, and Marine, Thomas Hewitt, Manager, discount days, Tuesdays and Fridays at eleven; Cornwall Fire and Marine, W. S. Turner, agent; Liverpool and London Fire and Life, AUport, Roberts, and Allport, English company; Alliance Fire and Life, R, W. Nutt, agent, English company; Professional Life Assurance, A. Crombie, agent, English company ; Impe- rial Fire, Kerr, Bogle, and Co., agents, English company, sub-agents, Westbrook and Butler. Launceston—Cornwall Fire and Marine, J. Aiken- head, secretary, discount day, Wednesday at twelve; Hobart Town and Launceston Marine, James Peters, agent; Derwent and Tamar, Fire, Life, and Marine, C. J. Weedon, agent; Launce. on Fire and Marine, A. J. Marriott, secretary, discount daily: Liverpool and London Fire and Life, C. McArthur, secretary, English company; Imperial Fire, Francis Evans, agent, English company; Colonial Life Assurance Company, Jas. Gibson, agent; Australasian Life Assurance, C. McArthur, agent; Australian Mutual Provident Society, L. Sherwin, agent. Tasmanian Fire and Life, James Peters, agent. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.—Royal Society, Hobart—Patron, the Queen; President, Sir H. Young; Secretary, Dr. Milligan. Launceston Branch, Secretary, Rev. H. Kane. Tasmanian Public Library—Patron, Sir H. Young; President, the Bishop of Tasmania; Secretary, A. Gardiner; Library, Barrack-street. Mechanics' Institutes—Launceston: President, Bev. R. K. Ewing; Secretary, A. J. Green—Hobart: Patron, Sir H. Young; President, the Bishop of Tasmania; Secretary, M. Burgess. Schools- Superintendent of Queen's Orphan Schools, A. B. Jones; Inspector of Schools, Major Cotton; Master of the Hutchins School, Rev. J. R. Buck- land, B.A.; Master of the High School, Rev. J. Harris; Second Master, Rev. W. Quilter; Master of the Grammar School, Launceston, Rev. H. P. Kane. Horton College (Wesleyan), Ross—Head Master, Rev. J. A Manton. New Norfolk Lunatic Asylum Commissioners—Thomas Atkinson, Presi- dent; the Hon. E. S. P. Bedford, Henry Butler, the Hon. W. Henty, J. A. Moore, Robert Officer, W. S. Sharland, Henry Lloyd, Wm. Tarletonf James Turnbull; G. F. Huston, Surgeon Superintendent. Court of Medical Examiners—President, Dr. Officer; Members, Bra. Bedford. Seccombe, Agnew, Maddox, BrocK, and Casey. Legal Examiners—Messrs, Hone, Pitcau-n, Brewer, and Butler; Hobart. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE at Hobart Town and Launceston. The Royal Exchange, at Hobart Town* TASMANIA. 127 .J? COMPANIES. —Stei \— Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company: the "City of Hobart," plyi' ;between Hoban and Melbourne, and the "Tas- xxianian," Hobart and Sydney; Manager, C. Toby; Offices, Franklin iWharf, Hobart. Kangaroo Point and Hobart Company; the "Venus;" Secretary, R. Hawkins, 'i he " Black Swan," and " Royal Shepherd," each threr times a month f■oni Launceston to Melbourne. The Huon Steam Company's steanr^r, "Culloden," plies between Hobart and the Huon twice a-weck~' aptain J. Gourlay. The steamer "Monarch," between Hobart and New Norfolk daily. Gas Company, Hobart: Capital, £60,000; Managing Director, Q. Whitcomb; Engineer, R. Falkner; charge 20s. per 1,000 feet, cash,—2ty. credit. SOCIETIES, INSTITUTIONS, ftc. AGRICULTURE.—Agricultural Societies—Southern Tasmanian Agricul- tural Association: Patron, the Governor; Secretary, S. Hughes—Midland Agricultural Association, Ross; Secretary, J. Maclanachan—Van Diemen's Land Agricultural Company: Office and Directors in London ; Agent in Tasmania, J. A. Gibson, M.L.A.—Northern Agricultural Society; Trea- surer, Wm. Dodrey; Secrerary, H. B. Nickolls. SOCIETIES.—Temperance Societies—Tasmanian Temperance Alliance, Hobart; Secretary, C. Abbott. Hobart Catholic Abstinence Society; Presi- dent, Very Rev. W. Hall, St. Peter's Hall, Collins-street. Hobart Total Abstinence Society; President, W. C. D. Smith. St. Joseph's Teetotal Society, Launceston; President, Rev. T. Butler. Tasmanian Teetotal Society; President, Rev. C. Price; Sec. S. J. Sutton. Benevolent Societies— Maternal and Dorcas Society, Hobart; Patroness, Lady Young; President, Mrs. Nixon—St. Andrew's Benevolent Society, Carrick; President, Rev. T. Keiby. St. Andrew's Benevolent Society, Hobart; Sec., Miss McLoughlin. Religious Societies—Hobart Town City Mission ; Secretary, Jno. Rothwell Jews' Benevolent Society, Hobart: Treasurer, S. Moses. Tasmanian Con- gregational Union ; Secretary, Rev. J. Nisbett. Launceston Town Mission; Missionary, Jno. Whittaker. Tasmanian Colonial Missionary Society; Treasurers, B. Rout, Ho, art, andW. S. Button, Launceston. Cornwall Auxiliary Bible Society, Launceston; President, Rev. H. W. Browne. Tas- manian Auxiliary Bible Society; President, His Excellency Sir Henry Young, Governor; Depot, 72, Liverpool-street, Hobart. Wesleyan Missionary Society, Hobart. Evangelical Unions of Hobart Town and Launceston. BUILDING SOCIETIES.—Hobart—TheTasmanian Permanent Building and Investment Association: Chairman, the Hon. W. E. Nairn; Managing Director, R. Worley; shares, £50 each. Launceston—The Launceston Building and Investment Society; Secretary, G. Bushby. The Northern Permanent Building and Investment Society, Launceston : Secretary, J. H. Greville. MASONIC LODGES.—Tasmanian Union Lodge; Tasmanian Masonic Benevolent Fund; Operative Lodge; Lodge of Hope; St. John's Lodge; St. John's Chapter,; Hope Chapter. « ODD FELLOWS9 LODGES.—Grand Lodge of Tasmania; Tasmanian Primitive Lodge; United Brothers' Lodge; Royal Victoria Lodge; Albert Lodge; Loyal Southern Star Lodge; Loyal Rose of Tasmanian Lodge; Loyal Kingston Lodge; Loyal Cornwall Lodge; Loyal Somerset Lodge; Star of Tasmania Lodge; and Pride of the West Lodge. INDEPENDENT ORDER OF RECHABITES. — Salford Unity — Tasmanian District, No. 79 (Launceston) Tents. Scar of Tasmanian, No. 1 (Launceston); Hope of Tasmania, No. 2, and Victoria, No. 6 (Hobart Town). LIBRARIES.—Hobart Town—Tasmanian Public Library, No. 1, Barrack- street; Mechanics' Institute, Melville-street; Wesleyan Subscription, Mel- ville-street; Lawrence's Circulating Library, Elizabeth-street; Westcott's 128 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Circulating Library, Collins-street; Young Men's Association, Royal Ex- change Rooms, Maequarie-street; Depot of the Sunday School Union, Messrs. Walsh and Sons, Wellington Bridge, Agents for Melbourne Argns, Sydney Horning Herald, Bradshaw's Guide to Victoria, &c. At Laon- ceston—Launceston Public Library; Wesleyan Subscription; Mechanics9 Institute. MISCELLANEOUS. BIRTHS.—Ten pounds penalty may be recovered on information against parents and occupiers of houses in the colony, for not giving notice of a death within ten days, and of a birth within six months, after which no births can be registered, unless they took place in the Colony prior to November, 1838, the date of the Registration Act. A fee of five shillings is payable if the registry of a birth is delayed beyond six weeks. When notices are sent, those of a birth should contain date of birth, name, trade or profession, and residence of father, maiden and surname of mother, and sex of child, whose christian name may be added to the entry at a sub- sequent date, after baptism. Notices of death should contain date of death, sex, age, name, rank or profession of deceased, and cause of death, CAB FARES.—By Distance—Not exceeding one mile, 2s. 6d. ; for every half-mile over a mile, and for every fractional part of a mile, Is. By Time. — Not exceeding half-an-hour, 3s. ; if exceeding half-an-hour, butnot exceed- ing three quarters of an hour, 4s. 6d.; above three quarters of an hour, but not exceeeing one hour, 5s. 6d. For every fractional part of any subse- quent hour in the same proportion. And one-half more shall be payable for any period between the hours of ten o'clock at night and six in the morning. Cab license, £3. COACHES.—Coaches from Launceston—To Hobart Town, the Royal Mail, every day and night (Saturday and Sunday nights excepted) ; hour of departure, five o'clock. To Longford and Perth, two conveyances, daily (Sundays excepted), at three and five o'clock. To Patterson's Plains, Spearman's van, three times daily. Launceston to Carrick, Westbury, and Deloraine: from Union Hotel booking office, George-street daily, at 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. Deloraine to Launceston: from Poole's booking office, daily, 2-30 p.m. Launceston to Nile Bridge and Evandale: from Bull's Head booking office, daily at 3 p.m. (except Sundays), arriving at Evandale at 7 p.m. Evandale and Nile Bridge to Launceston, daily, at 6-45 a.m., arriving in Launceston at 10 a.m. Hobart Town to Launceston : from Ship Hotel booking office, per Lord's Mail, every morning &nd evening (Saturday and Sunday excepted) fares, inside, £4, outside, £3. Day coach: fares, inside, £3, outside, £2 5s. Launceston to Hobart Town: from Club Hotel booking office, at 5 morning and evening. (Satur- day and Sunday excepted), passing through Brighton, Greenponds, Camp- belltown, Oatland and Perth. Hobart and Green Ponds: Fisher's, daily. Hobart and New Norfolk: Lucas's, daily. Hobart and Richmond: Guy's, and Mail Cart, twice weekly. Hobart and Brown's River : Fisher's, daily. Hobart and North-West-Bay: Worley's Conveyance, twice a week. DUTIES.—Brandy, per gal.,,12s. ; rum, and all other spirits and strong waters, per gal., 10s. Wines, per gal., in wood, 2s. ; in bottle, per doz. quarts, 6s.; per doz. pints, 3s. Tobacco, 2s. 6d. per lb.; ditto, soaked, for sheep dressing, 3d. per lb.; cigars, 3s. per lb. ; snuff, 3s. per lb. Tea, 3d. per lb. Coffee, ljd. per lb. Refined Sugar, 6s. per cwt. Raw Sugar and Molasses, 3a. per cwt. Dried fruits, Id. per lb. Hops, 2d. per lb. Malt, Is. per bushel. Malt liquors, in wood, 3d. per gal.; to doz. quarts. Is. 6d.; in doz. pin9s, 9d. FIRE ENGINE STATIONS at Hobart Town.—Tasmanian, 0. H. Hedburg'a, Argyle-street; Derwent and Tamar, Brown (late Brown and Douglas), Bathurst-street; Cornwall, Davidsons, Liverpool-st. Engines are also stationed at the ordnance stores, colonial hospital, police-office yards, and military barracks. Fire Engine Stations at Launceston.—Cornwall, TASMANIA. 129 Mr. Cogdell't, next to the police-office; Tasmanian, Mr. Lonargan, York- street; Derwent and Tamar, Cimitiere-street; Launceston, at Fiddyment's foot of Sand-hill; Liverpool and London, rear of Mr. M'Arthuer's, St. John- street. Superintendent of Brigade, James Lonargan, York-street, Volunteer Fire Brigade.— Engine station, rear of Mr. M'Arther's, St. John- street. Foreman—E. Whiting; assistant ditto, W. C. Crew; hon. sec., R. Edwards; treasurer, E. Blount. Cornwall Volunteer Fire Brigade: Foreman, Mr. W. H. Rawlings. HARBOUR DUES.—One penny per ton inwards and outwards. HOTELS.—At Hobart Town the Ship Inn in Elizabeth-street is a favorite resort for settlers and visitors. At Launceston, the Cornwall and Club Hotels are the most prominent. LIGHT - HOUSES.—At the Iron Pot Island, Cape Brune, Low Head, Swan Island, Goose Island, and Kent's Group. LIGHTHOUSE RATES.—Every coaster entering inwards, 4d. per ton; every other vessel, 9d. MARKETS.—Hobart Town: The Old, New, and Fish Markets, at the "Wharf and end of Collins-street: Clerk, F. J. Drake. MARRIAGES.—All marriages solemnized in the colony since November9 1838, are registered in Hobart Town, from the officiating ministers; and deputy registrars may issue licenses for marriages. OMNIBUSES.—Two Proprietors ply between Hobart and New Town, and one between Hobart and Sandy Bay, daily. PILOTAGE RATES.—By the Port Act, 1855, the rates in no case are to exceed one shilling per ton for sailing vessels, and 8d. for steamers ; and in no case, for any one act of pilotage, shall the charge exceed £30 nor less than £4. Vessels not exceeding 50 tons are free from pilotage, except the master actually employed one, when the pilot shall be entitled to £4. Vessels that enter the Low Heads in stress of weather, only half pilotage. SEASONS IN TASMANIA.—The Summer quarter commences December 22nd, 6 h. 6 m. a,m. The Autumn quarter commences March 21st, 7 h. 21 m. a.m. The Winter quarter commences June 22nd, 4h. 2 m. a.m. The Spring quarter commences September 23, 6 h. 14 m. p.m. SHIPPING MASTER'S OFFICE, Franklin Wharf, Hobart Town; esta- blished 1st March, 1856, under the provisions of Act of Council 19 Vict., No. 22.—Shipping Master, George Hawthorne. This office is for the purpose of regulating the shipping and discharge of seamen. Launceston Office, Queen's Wharf: Shipping Master and Immigration Officer, Capt. Henniker. STEAMERS (see Companies). THE COAST.—The steamer Titania leaves Launceston about 10th, 20th, and 30th of each month, for Port Sorell, Torquay, Emu Bay, and Circular Head. Communication with these places by small sailing craft is constant and regular. TIME.—Hobart Town, lat., 42 deg. 53 m. S.; long., 147 deg. 25 m. E.; in time, 0 h. 40 m. 39 s. before London. Launceston, Tat., 41 deg. 26 m. S.; long., 147 deg. 11 m. E.; in time, 9 h. 48 m. 48 s. before London. Diff. of lat. between Hobart Town and Launceston, 1 deg. 27 m. S.; long., 0 deg., 14 m. E. ; in time, 56 s. The centre of Tasmania (nearly) is east of London 147 deg. 18 m.; in time, 9 h. 49 m. 11 s.; that is, when it is Doon at London, it is 9 h. 49 m. 11 s. in the evening here. Hobart Town is west of Sydney 3 deg. 52 m. 20 s. S.; in time, 0 h. 15 m. 29 s. Launceston is vest of Sydney 4 deg. 15 m. 10 s. S.; in time, 17 m. 11. Launceston is west of Hobart Town, 0 deg. 0 m. 14 s.; in time, 56 s. Melbourne is west of Hobart Town, in time, 10 m. 38 s. Adelaide is west of Hobart Town, in time, 34 m. 18 s. The longest day is 15 hours, the shortest day of winter, 8 hours. 130 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. S0UTH AUSTRALIA. POSITION AND BOUNDARIES. The boundaries of the colony of South Australia, are as fol- low:—On the north, the 26th degree of south latitude; on the east, the colony of Victoria; on the west, the 132nd degree of east longtitude; on the south, the Southern Ocean. The coast line of the southern boundary, owing to the irregularity of the shore, exceeds 1,600 miles in extent. In its course it traverses Spencer's Gulf and St. Vincent's Gulf, rounding Torke's Peninsula and Cape Jervis, running east- ward to the Murray mouth, and then south-east till it meets the boundary in lat. 38°. The western boundary is only about one-fourth of the extent of the southern line, the northern about one-third, and the eastern one-half. The province contains about 300,000 square miles, or nearly 200,000,000 acres. The progress of discovery during 1857 having led to the conviction that a tract of good pastoral country exists in the western portion of the province, and extends outside its western boundary into a sort of no-man's-land, lying between South and Western Australia, steps have been taken by the Government to annex that tract to South Australia. The district in question lies between the 129th and 132nd parallels of east longitude, and naturally belongs to this colony. From its geographical position, whatever use could be made of it by any one, all the commercial advantage of its occupation would necessarily fall to South Australia. As it is understood to belong politically to New South Wales, application has been made to the Government of that colony, as well as to the Home Government, for permission to include the district within the jurisdiction of the South Australian Government. A general revision of the boundaries of all the Australian colonies is much to be desired, and might well be considered in connection with the federation question. ADELAIDE AND SUBURBS. The metropolis lies nearly south-east of the Port, and consists of two portions, North and South Adelaide. South Adelaide is laid out in a series of streets at right angles, the principal north and south streets (from 99 to 132 feet wide) being nearly 132 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. suburbs of Thebarton, Hindmarsh, and Bowden; north-east and north are Walkerville, Payneham, Islington, and Enfield. The city of Adelaide being laid out in the centre of a vast plain, having a radius of several miles in every direction, ample scope is afforded for laying out suburban townships, which are, indeed, continually rising up. COUNTRY TOWNSHIPS, PORTS, Ac. Some idea of the country townships will be gleaned from the list of Post-Oifices, and the frequency of making up the mails. The most important northern towns are Gawler Town, about 27 miles from Adelaide; Angaston, about 50 miles; Kapunda, about 52 miles; and Kooringa, the locality of the far-famed Burra Burra mines, 102 miles distant. Gawler Town has now a Mayor and Corporation, and is connected with the metropolis by a railway, which was opened for traffic through- out on the 5tb October, 1857. Surveys have been taken, and estimates prepared with a view to extend the Gawler Town Railway to Kapunda, and a Bill to authorise the scheme passed the Assembly, but was rejected by the Council, during the past year. Another Bill has been introduced with better success, which authorises the construction of a portion of the line, without borrowing more than £80,000— £50,000 being supplied out of the general revenue. It was originally contemplated that from Kapunda the railway should diverge into two lines—one to Blanche Town, on the Murray; the other to the Burra Burra Mines. It is, however, uncertain whether this project will be carried out, or whether tramways for horse traction may not be adopted in preference: but tramways for horse traction have been condemned by a select committee of the House of Assembly. The traffic from the northern districts is very great, both in wool and corn as well as in minerals. The eastern, north-eastem, and south-eastern districts of the colony include a large extent of highly productive agricultural country. Mount Barker, Gumeracha, Strathalbyn, and Mac- clesfield are the centres of farming operations. In a southern direction, Morphett Vale, Willunga, Noarlunga, and Yankalilla are also eminently productive. The chief ports, besides Port Adelaide, are Port Lincoln, Port Augusta, Port Wakefield, Port Onkaparinga, Port Willunga, Port Elliot, Rivoli Bay, and Guichen Bay. Between Port Elliot and the Goolwa, or lower portion of the Murray, an excellent tramway, seven miles in length, worked by horses, is in successful operation. Along the southern coast-line are several jetties and wharves, but the principal jetty (as to length and cost, though not in im- portance) in the colony will be the new structure now being SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 133 erected at Glenelg, stretching out into Holdfast Bay, and on account of which the sum of £29,000 has been voted by the Legislature. On tracing the course of the Murray upwards from the sea mouth to the Great North- West Bend, the settled districts will be easily found, by drawing a line north-west from the Bend to the head of Spencer's Gulf. Within the limits bounded by the Gulf, the Murray, and the line drawn, the most important mercantile and agricultural districts will be found. To the north and north-west of the above line the country is either unexplored or occupied by squatters. To the east and south of the Murray extending to the Victorian coast- line is a large extent of valuable country, chiefly occupied by sheep-farmers and stockholders, geographically and commer- cially more in connection with the Portland Bay District of Victoria than with other portions of South Australia. The principal port of the colony is Port Adelaide, sometimes confounded by strangers with Adelaide, the capital. The port and metropolis are, however, above seven miles apart, but are connected by the City and Port Railway. Port Adelaide is a creek perfectly sheltered from the sea, and is accessible to vessels of fifteen or sixteen feet draught of water. The Port Town was designed by Colonel Gawler, the second governor and land commissioner, on the shores of the central portion of the harbour, and adjacent waters of the North Arm, covering an area, exclusive of public quays, government and public reserves, streets, squares, &c., &c., of 1124 acres; but the only part as yet occupied and built upon is that which fell to the share of the South Australian Company, and at the back of their property towards the " Old Port," a first landing place used in the early days of the colony. The depth of the harbour at this part being insufficient for large vessels, measures are in progress for deepening it. At the North Arm the depth at low water spring tides is from eighteen to twenty-one feet; and we are informed that a company has recently been formed in London for the erection of wharves and warehouses at this port, to which a road has recently been made by the government. A steam dredge is also at work upon the bar, and when this work is completed vessels of any tonnage will be able to enter in safety, and to load and unload in perfectly still water, remaining afloat at all times of tide. Wharves, warehouses, a patent slip, and every convenience for shippers exist at the port, which is being continually im- proved under direction of a Trust appointed by the Legislature, and invested with ample funds for the purpose. Lines of rail are laid down from the principal wharves to the terminus of the City and Port Railway. The local affairs of the Port are managed by a Mayor and Corporation. 134 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. DISTRICTS, ROADS, &c. South Australia, as far as the settled portion, is divided into counties, hundreds, and districts. The division of most political importance is the dittrict, the ratepayers of which have the power of levying rates on land and buildings, of granting licences to public-houses and pounds, and also for slaughtering cattle, depasturing, and timber cutting on the Crown lands. The funds arising from these sources are applied to forming and keeping in repair the roads of the district. For all the great main trunk roads there is a board, called the Board of Main Roads; this is formed of chairmen of the District Councils. It is supplied with funds by grants of money from the Legislature. The hundreds and counties are divisions of minor importance, chiefly serving for electoral purposes and the convenient mapping out the large territory forming the province. Of the main roads formed and thoroughly macadamized, there are from Adelaide the following:—Nine miles to Port Adelaide and the North Arm; nine to the Bay and Brighton; thirty south to Willunga; twenty-four east to Mount Barker; twenty-six north to Gawler Town; and thirty north-east to Gumeracha, by two routes. These lines, with the necessary culverts, drains, and bridges, have been formed at a very heavy expense. Of the district roads, few have been constructed of any durability, excepting those suburban to Adelaide, and streets of townships or villages. The long range of hills running from Willunga northward, for more than 100 miles, furnish excellent stone for metalling the roads; while the soft lime-stone crusting the plains, more or less near the surface, forms an excellent base for the harder metal. About twenty-three miles of streets and roads have been constructed within the bounds of the city. RIVERS. The River Murray is the great natural artery of southern and south-eastern Australia, draining portions of the three colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. Its outlet is within the limits of the latter province, and its stream, from the mouth to its point of intersection with the boundary, measures 493 miles. Before entering the South Australian territory the Murray flows through the colonies of Victoria and New South Wales for more than 1,500 miles. The sea-mouth of the Murray is dangerous, owing to the shifting sands and the heavy ocean surf, but of late many vessels have safely entered. The navigation of the Murray commenced in August, 1853, by the Lady Augusta steamer, under the command of Captain Cadell, who proceeded as SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 135 far as Swan Hill. Scientific surveys and investigations have been made with a view of ascertaining the practica- bility of rendering the sea-mouth safe for navigation; and during the year 1857 the passage has been made with tolerable regularity. Many steamers and barges are now plying on its waters, and merchandise from Adelaide is regularly carried as far as Albury, a distance of 1,750 miles. It should be under- stood, however, that this merchandise is carried into the Mur- ray, not only by its mouth, but by the Tramway from Port Elliot to the Goolwa hereinbefore mentioned. As the sea-mouth of the Murray is situated within the bounds of South Aus- tralia, this magnificent river, now proved to be navigable for nearly 2000 miles, is claimed by that colony as its own peculiar possession; and it should be recorded to the honor of the South Australians that, by their sole energy and enterprise the several fine steamboats and barges have been placed upon its waters, for the common benefit of all three colonies, whenever they become sufficiently alive to its importance. Great discontent having been expressed in Melbourne at the arrangement by which foreign produce, especially tobacco, was taken up the Murray after paying Customs dues according to the South Australian tariff, a new intercolonial agreement was entered into early in the year, by which the South Australian Custom-house officers collect duties on goods entering the river intended for consumption in New South Wales or Victoria in accordance with the scale of dues imposed ir>those colonies. The amount thus received is paid, in equal proportions, to the Treasuries of those two colonies. This arrangement seems to work well, and to have given satisfac- tion up to the present time, but is liable, at any moment, to disorganization. A great peculiarity of most Australian rivers is their losing themselves in marshes or reed-beds; which is the case with two of the principal South Australian rivers, the Torrens and the Gawler. Both of these rivers also, in the dry season become in places strings of water-holes, connected by tiny rills of running water. As already stated, however, the River Torrens affords a never failing supply of pure water to the citizens of Adelaide; and although wells have been sunk all over South Adelaide especially, its water is preferred to that of the wells, which are more or less brackish. A full inquiry into the extent and capabilities of the River Murray has been made by the Legislature of New South Wales, during the present year, 1858. MIKES. South Australia has been long celebrated for its numerous copper and lead mines. Among the former the unbounded wealth of the Burra Burra Mine, about 98 miles to the north SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 137 the year rapid progress has been made in the construction of the intercolonial line of telegraph, to connect Adelaide with Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart Town. The first wire of that line was affixed by His Excellency Sir R. G. MacDonnell to the post in the centre of Adelaide, on the 9th of August, 1857: and on the 6th of November following, 60 miles of the line was opened for use. The present southern terminus of the line is Goolwa, near to the mouth of the Murray; but the contracts for the construction of the remainder of the line have been carried out with so much vigour that it is nearly completed. While the extension of telegraphic communication has thus been in course of accomplishment in a southerly direction, the extension of railways to the north has been a subject of constant consideration. The conviction which is gaining ground, that our great lines of internal communication must be railroads, and not macadamised roads, has tended in some degree to restrict the operations of the Main Road Board. But several important works are in progress under the superintendence of that body; and during the year three substantial and elegant bridges have been completed and brought into use. They are the MacDonnell Bridge, which spans the Torrens, on the north- eastern road, about 6 miles from Adelaide; the Stanley Bridge, which is thrown over the Onkaparinga, at Griinthal, on a branch of the south-eastern road; and the bridge over the Angas, at Strathalbyn. Other bridges are in course of con- struction in various parts of the colony, and will soon be opened, very much to the facilitation of communication be- tween the settled portions of the country. The most pleasing feature in connexion with these structures is, that they are built with an evident intention that they shall be permanent ornaments to the localities in which they stand. Profiting by the experience of the past, the engineers have provided against the contingencies which have proved fatal to so many Aus- tralian bridges, and in deference to the tastes of the present day pains have been taken to secure elegance and grace, as well as firmness and stability. On the coast there are several important works in progress. Among these we may name the deepening of the harbor at Port Adelaide, and the approaches to it; the erection of light- houses at Cape Borda, on Kangaroo Island, and at Cape Northumberland; and the construction of a Jetty at Glenelg. All these works are in progress, and will be completed at an early date. One of the most important public works now in progress is the scheme for supplying the city of Adelaide with water, for which £200,000 has been voted by the Legislature. The Waterworks are being constructed under the direction of Com- missioners, consisting of the Mayor of Adelaide (Mr. Lazar), Mr. W. S. Maturin, and Mr. U. N. Bagot. 138 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. HISTORY. The actual founder of the colony, so far at least as relates to the fundamental principle upon which it is constituted, was Mr. Edward Gibbon Wakefield, the cardinal point of whose theory was, that land without labor is valueless, and that to ensure a constant supply of labor, the land must be sold at a " sufficient price," the proceeds of the land sales being applied to the introduction of laborers. On this principle South Australia was founded, this being the first of Her Majesty's colonies to which the Wakefield principle was applied. The discovery of Australia has been effected by numerous instalments, reckoning from the visits of the Dutch in the early part of the 17th century, down to the survey of St. Vin- cent's and Spencer's Gulfs in the beginning of the present century. The explorations of Sturt, who in the year 1830 de scended the River Murray, gave a new impulse to the vague dreams of emigration which for some time previously had been rife in England. At length the South Australian Association obtained an Act authorising the settlement of the colony, but prohibiting the occupation of the land as a dependency of the British Crown until after £35,000 worth of land had been sold, and £20,000 had been invested in Government securities. The Commissioners appointed under the Act adopted the expedient of issuing preliminary land orders, 437 of which were issued at £81 each, the holder of each order being entitled to select 80 acres of country land and one acre of town land. So little faith, however, was reposed in the scheme, that the whole pro- ject would have failed had not two or three gentlemen agreed to take up the unsold shares at the reduced price of 12s. per acre. The diminution of price was effected by increasing the area of the preliminary sections from 80 acres to 134. In con- sequence of this increased inducement, the requisite amount of money was raised, and the Commissioners sent out Colonel Light to suggest the site for the capital. He arrived in August, 1836, and after examining Nepean Bay, Port Lincoln, and En- counter Bay, decided upon establishing the capital where it now stands. Captain Hindmarsh, the first Governor, arrived at the close of the same year, and proclaimed the colony on the 28th of December. On his departure he was succeeded by George Milner Stephen Esq. (colonial secretary), as acting- governor. His successor, Colonel Gawler, arrived on the 12th of October, 1838. Captain George Grey, the third Governor, arrived in the colony on the 10th of May, 1841; Major Robe on the 14th October, 1845; Sir Henry Young on the 1st of August, 1848; who was succeeded by B. T. Finniss, Esq., as acting-governor; and Sir Richard MacDonnell, the present Governor, on the 7th of June, 1855. During the twenty-one years that have elapsed since the SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 139 establishment of the colony it has passed through many vicis- situdes. The early files of the local papers are filled with humiliating disputes between the Executive officers of the Government, private squabbles, and melancholy narrations of official incapacity. The short career of office of the first two Governors was characterised by numerous inconveniences resulting from delayed surveys and wasted time and capital. Colonel Gawler, to obviate the evils that he saw advancing, launched out into a heavy expenditure, vastly augmenting the evils he had hoped to avert. To meet his liabilities he drew upon the British Treasury, and the Home Government dis- honored his bills. The result was a fearful panic and an almost universal bankruptcy. Captain Grey found upon assuming the reins of Government, that whilst the revenue was only £30,000, the expenditure was £150,000, exclusive of a debt of £300,000. Adopting the most rigid measures of economy, he reduced the expenditure of the Government within the narrow limits of the revenue just mentioned, and notwithstanding the check thus given to everything before the close of his administration, the province had so far pro- gressed in material prosperity and reputation, that the Home Government paid half the debt, and accepted colonial securities for the other half. The whole of this has since been liquidated. The discovery of the Burra mines toward the close of Captain Grey's administration opened up a new source of wealth to the colony, but the mining mania to which that discovery gave rise, resulted, on the other hand, in wide spread embar- rassment. Still more recently, the discovery of the precious metals in the adjacent colonies, and particularly in Victoria, exercised a marked influence upon the fortunes of South Aus- tralia. The gold-fields of Ballaarat and Mount Alexander drew away vast numbers of persons from the colony; shep- herds, farmers, merchants, traders, professional men, and laborers going in ever increasing multitudes, some by ship, others by overland conveyances, and some on foot. The excitement of all classes amounted to a furor. The laboring classes in numerous instances sold everything they possessed, to Sraise the amount of their passage money to Victoria; for which purpose even cottage freeholds were conveyed to pur- chasers for the pitiful sum of <£5! whilst others, unable to dispose of their humble possessions, nailed up boards against their windows and doors, and left their homes to the mercy of the elements; which, after the exodus of the thieves and house- breakers for the land of gold, was all the danger the owners had to dread. The industrial operations of the colony were brought to a standstill, the coin was leaving the colony, the bank reserves were rapidly disappearing. The urgency of the case became so imminent, that notwithstanding the almost superstitious disinclination of the Government to interfere with the currency, it was evident that some extraordinary step must SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 143 their seats and their offices, with Mr. B. T. Finniss as Premier. Early in August the Finniss Ministry were compelled to retire, having been defeated on almost every question of importance during their career as responsible Ministers. His Excellency then sent for Mr. John Baker, a member of the Legislative Council, who associated with himself Messrs. Gwynne, Bagot, Hart, Blyth, and Milne. Mr. Baker's Ministry was swom in on the 21st of August. On the 25th of August, the new Min- istry first appeared, as such, before the Legislature, and were met, within an hour of taking their seats by a no-confidence notice of motion, tabled by Mr. Torrens, the Treasurer in the preceding Government. The hostile motion came on the very next day, and was carried by a majority of 17. Within 24 hours the Baker Ministry was at an end, and Mr. Torrens, the mover of the fatal resolution, was empowered to form an Ad- ministration. On the 1st of September Mr. Torrens's new Government was sworn in, the gentlemen composing it being Messrs. Torrens, Andrews, Hughes, and MacDermott in the Lower House, and Mr. Davenport in the Upper house. Mr. Torrens made a more successful debut than did Mr. Baker, but he mismanaged his position, and was overthrown September 22, on a motion by Mr. Hanson, affirming that Mr. Torrens's Government, by repealing certain Crown lands regulations by proclamation, instead of by enactment, had acted in an "illegal and unwarrantable " manner. The assailed Ministers made a desperate defence, and as they contrived to make many believs that their act, if illegal, was justified on grounds of public ne- cessity, their overthrow was only effected by a majority of three votes. A few days afterwards the now existing Ministry was gazetted, consisting of the following gentlemen:—Mr. Younghusband, Chief Secretary; Mr. Hanson, Attorney-Gene- ral; Mr. Hart, Treasurer; Mr. Reynolds, Commissioner of Public Works; Mr. Dutton, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration. Mr. Younghusband is a member of the Upper House; the other Ministers are in the Lower House. This Cabinet possesses elements of stability of which its pre- decessors were destitute, and has commanded a large majority in the House on all important occasions. POPULATION AND STATISTICS. No census of the population has been taken since the 31st of March, 1855, so that all attempts to estimate the number of the people made since that time, being founded on imperfect data, must necessarily be to some extent hypothetical. But as they have official statistics of the principal elements of in- crease we may calculate with a tolerable degree of accuracy the number of inhabitants in the province at any given time. Starting from the last census, we find that the population 144 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. on the 31st of March, 1855, numbered 85,821. The excess of births over deaths during the nine months included between the 1st of April and the 31st of December, 1855, amounted to 1,711. The registered births in 1856 were 4,488, and deaths 1,147, leaving an excess of births of 3,341. The population of the colony, in the early part of 1858, was supposed to amount to 109,917 souls, comprising 55,735 males, and 54,182 females. The births for the year 1857, amounted to 2,640 males, and 2,543 females, together 5,183; the marriages to 1,218; and the deaths to 1,304, namely, 728 males, and 576 females. The number of vessels arrived for the year was 414, of an aggregate burthen of 166,310 tons. By these were conveyed to the colony 5,385 male adults, 2,150 female adults, and 1,551 children, making a total of 9,086 souls. The vessels departing from the colony, for the year, were 404; conveying away 1,854 male adults, 1,013 female adults, 573 children, being a total of 3,440. The num- ber of immigrants which arrived at the public expense during the year, was 3,965; of whom 2,422 were males, and 1,543 females. The estimated value of imports for the year, was £1,623,052 5s. Of these the re exports amounted to £214,388, leaving a balance of imports consumed in the colony of £1,400,664 5s. The exports, the produce of the colony, amounted to £1,774,184, which added to the imports re- exported made the total estimated value of exports, £1,956,572. The revenue for the year amounted to £726,325 19s. 2d., consisting of-general revenue, £451,525 19s. 2d.; and loans for public works, £274,800. The expenditure amounted to £664,366 Is. 8d.—being £480,234 14s. for general purposes; and £184,131 7s. 8d. for public works. The gold licences for the year amounted to 272, for which the sum of £136 was received. The stock in the colony at the end of the year consisted of, 2,075,805 sheep and lambs, 310,400 cattle, 26,220 horses, 1,647 goats, and 38,199 pigs. LAND SALES. The land sold by auction and private contract during the year 1857, amounted to 177,818 acres, realising the sum of £215,076 8s. The auction sales amounted to 120,392 acres, which realised an average price of £1 6s. per acre; and the private sales, to 37,326 acres, averaging £1 0s. 4d. per acre. The quantity of land under cultivation was 235,966 acres, of which 175,865 acres were cultivated for wheat. All Crown lands in the colony of South Australia, except such reserves as may be made by the Government for public purposes, are open to purchase at the upset price of £1 per acre for country sections. All Crown lands are submitted, in the SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 145 first instance, by public auction, but lots that pass the hammer without a bidding may afterwards be selected privately at the upset price. It may here be observed, that during the first two years after the establishment of the colony, the Land Sales were conducted on a different principle. The first purchasers of land, to whom the colony was indebted for its very existence, as already stated, were called "preliminary" land holders. And, as they had purchased in London, of course, before the first settlers had landed, or surveys had commenced, it became necessary to hit upon some expedient for determining the priority of choice of the land, or "preliminary section," as it was termed, of each purchaser. Those sections consisted of 134 acres of Country Lands: for which the purchaser paid only the sum of £80, being at the rate of about 12s. per acre; the difference in price having been allowed to them as a boon; with the addition of one acre in the City of Adelaide. As soon as a few thousand acres in excess of the demand had been surveyed and mapped out into sections of 134 acres and duly numbered, a general meeting of the "preliminary land- holders," or their agents, was officially called, to draw lots for the order of choice; and shortly afterwards another meeting was held for these " preliminary " purchasers to mark off upon the maps the sections they had selected. The result of this priority of selection was to confer small fortunes upon the lucky possessors of the sections imme- diately surrounding the City of Adelaide; who eventually subdivided them into the suburban townships or villages already mentioned. After these preliminary purchasers had become satisfied, the sections were again marked off upon the ground, and on the maps, into blocks of 80 acres; which was the size (with few exceptions) of all future sections. "Land orders" were afterwards sold in London, authorising the holder to select 80 acres of land upon payment of £80; and being numbered consecutively, they took priority of choice accordingly, and formed, in consequence, a source of profit to those who retained them for any length of time; when they were eagerly bought by parties anxious to secure favourite spots, or localities valuable for their mineral prospects. Several well-known copper and lead mines were in this manner purchased or selected by the fortunate proprietors. And it may be observed that the purchase of land orders in London operated as a valuable mode for transmitting capital to the colony, and at the same time became a fund in England immediately applicable to the purposes of emigration. In the colony the system of applying for surveyed sections by tender was adopted; viz.: sending a written application for any specified section of land, at the same time paying into the treasury ten per cent, on the purchase money of £1 per acre, and the balance within a month after receiving the official H SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 147 both scientific and ornamental. It has already been the means of introducing much that it was very desirable to procure; while from the public interest it has excited, and the number of persons who attend daily for amusement or instruction, it is evidently creating a taste for ornamental horticulture, and it is to be hoped will be the means of still more rapid advancement. The native vegetable productions are of a peculiar character: there are no succulent plants of the nature of the cactus or eupherbia; few ferns and few bulbous roots, nor is there much variety in the foliage of the trees. The ubiquitous gum-trees (eucalyptus), the curious grass-tree (xanthorrhaa), and the sombre she-oak (casuarina), abound here as in the other Australian colonies. Not- withstanding this sameness of the trees, yet the hills and valleys are in the season of winter and spring surpassingly beautiful, with the lovely heaths and shrubs. The different species of epacris, pimelia, tetratheca,pulteru)ea,I>avie$ia,I)illwynia, callithrix, and many others are of surprising richness of color and delicacy of form; while many varieties of the beautiful wattle or acacia add a rich sweetness of odor, and combined with the above and the graceful callitris (native pine), the no less graceful exocarpus (native cherry, which bears its stone outside the fruit), and the tuscmus (or native peach), com- pensate for, and in a great degree conceal, the uniformity of the larger trees, without detracting from their grandeur and magnificent proportions. The native plants, in an industrial and commercial point of view, have scarcely been examined, yet it is well known that the bark of the common wattle or acacia is excellent for tanning, and is alone used in the colony for that purpose. Many of the wattles eject a strong clear gum like that produced by the cherry-tree. The gum-trees yield a resin like kino or lac, and the grass-tree is often abundantly covered with a similar material. A patent has, moreover, been lately taken out for the making of paper from a kind of rush, which is found in abundance. EDUCATION. The Government system of education now in operation was commenced in 1852, in pursuance of an Act of the Legis- lature passed during the previous year. It comprises a Central Board of Education, having seven members and a secre- tary, in connexion with which are two inspectors of schools. The present members of the board are Messrs. W. C. Belt (chairman); Marshall McDermott, M.P.; William Gosse; J. C. Paisley, A.M.; Arthur Hardy; Samuel Davenport, M.P.; and It. B. Andrews, M.P.; Secretary, E. W. Wickes; Inspectors, William Wyatt and H. E. Smith. Teachers, approved after examination or the production of H 2 148 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. satisfactory testimonials, are licensed by the board to teach in specified localities, and the fees they receive from the parents or guardians of their pupils are supplemented by stipends, payable quarterly, varying from £40 to £100 per annum, according to the qualifications possessed, and the number of pupils taught; the schools being inspected at least three times during the year. The course of instruction at present required from licensed teachers must, at the least, comprise reading, writing, arith- metic, with the rudiments of English grammar, and geography; but the board are earnestly desirous that the usual course, whenever possible, shall be made to include English grammar (thoroughly taught), English composition, geography (with exercises on maps and globes), mental arithmetic, lineal draw- ing and mensuration: singing also, when practicable, is recom- mended. In German schools the teaching of the English language is indispensable. The Scriptures are read daily in the schools, but no instruc- tion of a denominational character is allowed to be given during school hours. In connexion with the Central Board of Education is a depot, from which licensed teachers are supplied with school books at cost prices. District Councils are authorised to act as District Boards of Education in subordination to the Central Board; and district school-houses, including teachers' residences, are erected on the approval of the project by the board, wherever the residents locally interested raise by subscription an amount equal to one half of the cost of the building, the board, being authorised by the Education Act, furnish the remaining half. The number of schools in connexion with the Edu- cation Board, the pupils attending them, and their cost to the government have been as under:— No. of No. of Cost. Id 1852 „ 1853 „ 1854 „ 1856 „ 1856 „ 1857 Schools. Pupils. £ s. d. 69 8,283 3,089 15 10 111 5,273 6,718 6 8 126 5,464 8,638 15 0 138 6,039 9,616 2 10 147 6,616 8,979 0 2 167 7,480 10,538 18 0 The pupils at the schools in the province, not in connexion with the Education Board, are estimated at about two-fifths of the aggregate number under instruction, which gives an approximate total amount of about 12,500 at school, or 1 for every 8J of the population. The Collegiate School of St. Peter is under the mastership of the Rev. G. H. Fan, A.M., and three or four assistant masters; and there are several other establishments where the classics and mathematics and some of the modern languages are taught. 150 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. GOVERNMENT, LAW, &c, GOVERNMENT.—Governor-ln-Chief: His Excellency Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell, Knight, CD. Private Secretary: John Claudius Paisley, MA. EXECUTIVE—Hon. W. Younghusband, Chief Secretary; Hon. R. D. Hanson, Attorney General; Hon. B. T. Finniss, Treasurer; Hon. A. Blyth, Commissioner of Public Works; Hon. Francis S. Dutton, Commissioner of Crown Lands; Hon. A. H. Freeling (not in the ministry) Surveyor- General ; Clerk, A. Kinloch. Commissary-General, W. H. Maturin, A.D.C. to bis Excellency the Governor. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.—President: The Hon. James Hurtle Fisher; the Hon Thomas S. O'Halloran, the Hon. John Baker, the Hon. William Younghusband, the Hon. John Morphett, the Hon. Edward C. Gwynne, the Hon. Anthony Forster, the Hon. Abraham Scott, the Hob. Edward Stirling, the Hon. William Scott, the Hon. George Hall, the Hon. Charles Harvey Bagot, the Hon. Henry Ayers, The Hon. Samuel Daven- port, the Hon. Arthur H. Freeling, the Hon. Charles Davies, the Hon. George Fife Angas, the Hon. Charles George Everard. Clerk of Legis- lative Council—Francis C. Singleton. Assistant Clerk and Sergeant-at- Arms, J. G. A. Braithwaite. HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.—Speaker and Chairman of Committees—The Hon. George S. Kingston. Members:— City of Adelaide: Robert Richard Ton-ens, R. D. Hanson, Francis S. Dutton, Boyle Travers Finniss, J. Bentham Neales, Win. Henville Burford. Port Adelaide: John Hart, John Bristowe Hughes. West Torrens: Luther Seammell, James Wm. Cole. Yatala : John Harvey, R. B. Andrews. Gumeracha: Arthur Blyth, Alexander Hay. EastTurrens: L. Glyde, J. H. Barrow. 8turt: Thos. Reynolds, John Hallett. Noarlunga: Thomas Young, Henry Mil- dred. Mount Barker: F. E. H. Wulf Knchauff, J. Dunn. Onkaparinga: William Milne, William Townsend. Encounter Bay: H. B. Strang- ways, A. F. Lindsay. Baro?sa: Walter Duffield, William Bakewell: The Murray: David Wark. The Light: J. T. Bagot, W. H. Maturin, Victoria: George Charles Hawker. Burra and Clare: George S. Kingston, Morris Marks, Edward John Peake. Flinders: Marshall MacDermott. Clerk of House of Assembly: G. W. D. Beresford. Assis- tant Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms: J. N. Black mo re. MISCELLANEOUS.—Vice-Admiral, His Excellency the Governor, Sir Richard G. McDonnell. Auditor General, W. L. O'Halloran; Assistant Auditor-General,W. L.Haining. Registrar-General, R. R. Torrens; Deputy Registrar-General, W. B. T. Andrews. Commissioners of Insolvency, C. Mann and Matthew Smith. Official Assignee and Curator of Intestate Estates, L. W. Thrupp. Magistrate at Port Adelaide, R. F. Newland. Commissioner of Police, Major Egerton Warburton. Postmaster-General, John Watts. Secretary of Waterworks, C. N. Wornum. Secretary of Central Road Board, C. Thompson. Inspector of Schools, W. Wyatt. Colonial Architect, E. A. Hamilton. Colonial Storekeeper, William Reylin. Coroner, Dr. Woodforde. Government Printer, W. C. Cox. Gaol-keeper, L. Egan. Comptroller of Convicts, C. S. Hare. Registrar of Births, Deaths, &c., J. F. Cleland. Colonial Surgeon, and Superintendent of Lunatic Asylum: R. M. Moore. Health Officer and Colonial Surgeon at Port Adelaide: Dr. H. Duncan. Superintendent of Botanic Gardens, G. Francis. LAW.—Chief Justice, His Honor Sir Charles Cooper; Second Judge, His Honor Benjamin Boothby; Master, Henry Jickling; Prothonotary and Registrar, C. A. Wilson; Clerk of Arraigns and Associate, W. Hinde. Sheriff, W. R. Boothby. Crown Solicitor, W. A. Wearing. Commissioner of Insolvency, C. Mann. COURTS.—Supreme Court, Local Courts, Mayor's Court, Court of Insol- vency, Court of Appeal, Vice Admiralty Court, and Police Courts. Stipen- diary Magistrate, Adelaide, C. Mann. Police Magistrate, S. Beddome. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 151 There are nearly 200 Justices of the Peace. Supreme Court.—Law Terms consist of twenty-seven days each, and commence—first term, last Monday in February; second term, last Monday in May ; third term, last Monday in August; fourth term, last Monday in October. Civil Sittings—the third Monday in each of the four terms. Criminal Sittings—first sitting, second Monday in February; second sitting, second Monday in May; third sitting, second Monday in August; fourth sitting, Monday after termination of the fourth term. Tub Insolvency Court is open at the Supreme Court Office. Local Courts.—These courts are now established at Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Kooringa, Gawler Town, Mount Barker, Strathalbyn, Woodside, Gumeracha, Clare, Kapunda, Angaston, Tanunda, Wellunga, Morphett Vale, Percola, Port Lincoln, Robe Town, Norman- ville, Port Elliott, Goolwa, Yankalilla, Magill, Auburn, and Salisbury. CUSTOMS.—Port Adelaide—Collector of Customb, G. F. Dashwood; Naval Officer and Harbor Master, B. Douglas; Immigration Agent, Dr. Duncan. MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT.—Director: Charles Todd. Charges for messages are as follows :—(names and addresses free): Between Adelaide and the Port, and the Port and LeFevre'6 Peninsula, not exceeding 20 words, including delivery within half a mile, 6d.; and 3d. for each ten words, or less, additional. Between Adelaide and the Peninsula, double the above rates. A line is opened between Gawler Town and Ade- laide, also to Goolwa. The stations on the telegraph line to Melbourne are through Geelong, Ballaarat, Raglan, Warrnambool, Belfast, Portland, Mount Gambier, Guichen Bay, Goolwa, and Port Elliott. POST OFFICE.— Mails are despatched as follow S.Suburban: Port Adelaide 8& miles from Adelaide, Hindmarsh and Bowden 2£, Wood9 ville, Alberton 7, North Adelaide H, Enfield 6, Walkerville 2J, Norwood 2, Campbell Town 5, Payneham 3, Makill 4, Unley 3, Mitcham 4f, Edward's Town 4, Sturt 8, Brighton 8£, Plympton 3J, Glenelg 6, Glen Osmond 4±, Thebarton 1J, Lefevre's Peninsula 9. Northern Route: Grand Junction 8 miles, Salisbury 16, Gawler Plains 20, Gawler 27, She-oak Log 37, Greenock 45, Kapunda 62, Hamilton 62, Apoinga 82, Kooringa 102, Lyndock Valley 37, Tanunda 45, Nuriootpa 48, Angaston 64, Truro 64, Templers 36, Stockport 46, Riverton 61, Auburn 70, Watervale 76, Pen- wortham 80, Clare 86, Mintaro 79, Penfield 22, Virginia 27, Port Wake- field 124, Charlton 152, Melrose 167, Port Augusta 212, Moorundee 89, Little Para 14, One-tree Hill 20. North-Eastern Route: Old Shepherd's Inn 10}, Houghton 14, Chain of Ponds 21, Gumeracha 25, Blumberg 27, Mount Pleasant 36. Eastern Route: Crafers 10 miles, Hahndorf 18, Balhannah 22, Woodside 26, Lobethal 32, Charleston 38, Mount Torrens 40, Echunga 24, Mount Barker 21, Nairne 25, Kanmantoo 37, Macclesfield 29, Strathalbyn 38, Langhorne's Creek 48, Wellington 69, Robe (Guichen Bay) 200, Mos- quito Plains 220, Penola 250, Mount Gambier 280, Meadows 33, Milang 51, Tin Pot 33. South-Eastern Route: Coromandel Valley 9 miles, Cherry Gardens 12, Clarendon 17. Southern Route: O'Halloran Hill 12 miles, Rey- nella 13J, Morphett Vale 15, Noarlunga 20, McLaren Vale 25, Willunga 30, Port Eliot 58, Goolwa 65, Currency Creek 60, Aldinga 27, Myponga 40, Yankalilla 50, Normanville 63, Rapid Bay 62, Bald Hills 65, Inman Valley 60, Encounter Bay 69. On the Coast: Port Lincoln, 210 miles.—The rates of postage for inland letters is 2d. under half an ounce; over half an ounce and under on9 ' ounce, 4d. Book post, including pamphlets, &c., under four ounces, 2d. (The same charge to all the colonies.) Letters lor the Australian Colonies and Great Britain, 6d. under half an ounce. Letters must be prepaid. RAILWAY.—South Australian Railway. Board of Commissioners: W. Hanson, R. B. Colley, and John Brown. Engineer, W. Hanson; Assist. Engineer, W. G. Coulls. Secretary, R. Borrow. The City and Port Line extends for seven and a half miles from Adelaide, through Bowden, Wood- ville, and Albert Town to Port Adelaide. The North Line extends for twenty-five miles from Adelaide, through North Adelaide, Grand Junction, Dry Creek, Salisbury, and Smithfield, to Gawler. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 153 - WESLEYAN CHURCH.—William Butters, Chairman of the District, R. C. Flockhart, Charles Colwell (Clare), Kooringa; Jabez B. Waterhouse. Kapunda; Matthew Wilson, Clarendon; Spencer Williams, Peter R. C. Ussher (Nairne), Mount Barker and Nairne; William M. Bennett, North Clarendon; Harcourt, J., Adelaide; Hill, William, Yankalilla ; supplies wanting for Goolwa, Strathalbyn, and Kersbrook. Number of members in the colony, 2,203. GERMAN LUTHERAN.—Hensel, C. A., Blumberg. Kavel, A., Long- meill Kappler, A., Hope Valley. Meyer, H. A. E., Bethany. Mucke, 0., Tanunda. Maschmidt, C., Kleinzig. Oster, P. J. Hoffnungsthal. Strem- pel, C. F. Hahndorf. Tirchelman, C. J., Salem, or Bremen. PRIMITIVE METHODISTS.—Cole, Henry, Adelaide. Tear, E., Mount Barker. Wright, J. G., Kooringa. Whittaker, J. G., Adelaide. White - field, W., Nairne. BIBLE CHRISTIANS.—Culver, James, Kapunda. Fursman, William, Mount Barker. Hillman, T., Kooringa. Kien, S., Gawler. Kien, T. E., Mount Torrens. Ridclift, J., Watervale. Roberts, J., Willunga. Rowe, J., Adelaide. Way, J., Adelaide. SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.—May, J., Mount Barker. MORAVIANS.—Schondorff, C. S. D., Bethel, near Kapunda. JEWS.—Gollin, B., and Moratta, S., Adelaide. UNITARIAN.—Woods, J. C, Adelaide. BANES AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. BANKS IN ADELAIDE.—South Australian Banking Company, North Terrace : Manager, George Tinline. Union Bank of Australia, Pirie-street: Manager, Nathaniel Oldham. Bank of Australasia, King William-street: Manager, S. Tomkinson. Savings' Bank, Exchange Chambers, King William-street: Accountant, John Hector. INSURANCE COMPANIES.—Albion Life Insurance Company, A. Scott. Alliance British and Foreign Fire and Life Assurance Company, Fox, Lloyd and Co. Adelaide Lloyds' Association of Underwriters, Cowie and Aspinwall. Cornwall Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Abraham Scott. Church of England Life Assurance Institution, F. S. Dutton. Derwent and Tamar Marine Assurance Company, Black and Wright. Hobart Town and Launceston Marine Insurance Company, F. J. Beck and Co. Imperial Fire Insurance Company, A. J. Wright. Melbourne Lloyds' Association of Underwriters, Fox, Lloyd and Co. Monarch Fire and Life Assurance Company, Jos, Stirling and Co. Northern Assurance Com- pany, Elder, Stirling and Co. Professional Life Assurance Company, R. B. Colley. The Royal Insurance Company, Acraman, Main, Lindsay and Co. South Australian Insurance Company, R. E. Tapley, Secretary. Fire Brigade, Superintendent, Thomas Hills. SOCIETIES, INSTITUTIONS, &c. ADELAIDE HOSPITAL.—Colonial Surgeon, R. Wm. Moore. Assistant Colonial Surgeon, Morgan Thomas. Clerk of Hospital (also Clerk of Vaccine Board), William Johnson. Dispenser, Henry Briggs. Assistant ditto, Receiver and Issuer of Stores, William F. Wheeler. Matron, I. Briggs. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.—Offices, Green's Exchange. Committee of Management — S. Tomkinson, Chairman; M. B. Henriques, Deputy Chairman; George Hall; G. S. Young; Alfred Watts; J. R. Black; Abraham Scott; John Hector; Abraham Abrahams; R. B. Smith; J. H. Clark. Secretary, D. Melville. Committee meet every Thursday. General meetings, quarterly, and on special occasions. 154 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. DESTITUTE BOARD. — Office, Destitute Asylum, North Terrace. Members—the Hod. the Chief Secretary; the Colonial Chaplain; the Colonial Surgeen; the Immigration Agent; Very Rev. M. Ryan; Rev. John Gardiner; Rev. W. Ingram; Rev. R. Haining; W. Giles. Secretary, E. Holthouse. Relieving Officer (resident), J. W. Bee. DISTRICT COUNCILS.—Chairman of Association, A. H. Davis; Secre- tary, J. K. Penney. District Councils are held at Alexandrina, Aldinga, Angaston, Barossa East, Barossa West, Bremer, Brighton, Burnside, Clare, Clarendon, Echunga, Encounter Bay, Highercombe, Hindmar^h, Kondopa- rlnga, MacclcstieM, Mitcham, Morphett Vale, Mount Barker, Mount Craw- ford, Mudla Wirra, Munno Para East, Munno Para West, Myponga, Nairne, Noarlunga, Onkaparioga, Para Wirra, Payneham, Port Elliott and Goolwa, Port Gawler, Rapid Bay, Strathalbyn, Talunga, Tanunda, Torrens East, Torrens West, Tungkillo, Walkerville, Willunga, YankaliUo, Yatala and Upper Wakefield. FORESTERS.—Names of Courts: Perseverance, Happy Home, Homely Retreat, Australia's Pride, Pride of the Forest, Huntsmen's Pride, For- ester's Retreat, Robin Hood, Rose of the Forest, Salisbury's Pride, Bush- man's Pride, Mountain Glen, Mountainous, Industry, Concord, Old Oak of England, Court Kensington, and Adelaide. INSTITUTIONS.—South Australian Institute: Secretary, Nathaniel Hailes. South Australian Agricultural and Horticultural Society: Pre- sident, G. S. Kingston, M.P. ; Secretary, F. S. Driffield. Botanic Gardens: G.Francis, Superintendent. Vaccine Institute: Drs. Gosse, Woodeford, and Bayer. LUNATIC ASYLUM.—Superintendent, R. W. Moore. Head Keeper, John Cavanagh. Matron, I. Morris. MASONIC LODGES.—Provincial Grand Lodge and the South Aus- tralian Royal Arch Chapter. The Craft Lodges: Friendship, Harmony, United Tradesmen's, Concord, Truth, Unity, Fidelity, Kooringa. Scotch Constitution: Adelaide St. John's Lodge. Irish Constitution: Duke of Leinstcr Lodge, Adelaide Lodge of Mark Master Masons, Lei aster Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. MEDICAL PROFESSION.—The Board meets quarterly, on the first Tuesday in January, April, July, and October of each year. Diplomas and certificates to be forwarded, under cover, to W. Wyatt, Secretary, at Adelaide Hospital, at least three days previous to each meeting. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS.—Adelaide: John Lazar, Mayor; W. A. Hughes, Town Clerk. Port Adelaide: Edward French, Mayor; W. Boy- kett, Town Clerk. Kensington and Norwood: John Carlin, Mayor; J. E. Moulden, Town Clerk. Glenelg: S. P. H.Wright, Mayor ; W. R. Wigley, Town Clerk. Gawler: R. J. Turner, Mayor; J. Rudall, Town Clerk. ODD FELLOWS.—Names of Lodges: Adelaide, Hope, Albion, Stuart, Albert, Gawler, Flinders, Hindmarsh, Burra Burra, Noarlunga, Britannia, Sir John Franklin, Brighton, Onkaparinga, Norwood, Wellington, Newton, Angas, Park, M'Donnell, Rynella, Highercombe, Willunga, Gumeracha, Auburn, Mintaro, Temple of Peace, Macclesfield, and Loyal Woodville. There are several Friendly Societies. SOCIETIES.—Sun Land, Building, and Investment Society. Atlas Land, Building, and Investment Society. Equitable Permanent Building and Investment Society. Permanent Land and Building Association. West Adelaide Building Society. Temperance Permanent Land and Building Society. Ancient Order Hibernian Society, St. Patrick's Lodge. Engineers' Mechanical Society. Independent Order of Rechabites, St. Patrick's Lodge. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 155 MISCELLANEOUS. CARRIAGES, &c.—Fares, from 8a. to 6s. per hour. The regulations, with Carters' Fares, &c., are issued in the local publications. COACHES & CONVEYANCES.- To Angaston, Brighton and the Bay, Glenelg, Clare, Camptell Town, Glen Osmond, Kapunda and Koringa, Ken- sington, Magill, Miteham, Mount Barker, Norwood, North Adelaide, Payneham, Port Adelaide, Port Elliot, Truro, Unley and Walkerville. Also to "Willunga, Strathalbyn, and Yankalilla. COUNTRY DISTRICTS.—Gawler Town.—R. J. Turner, Mayor ; H. D. Murray, Stipendiary Magistrate. (For Churches, &c., see Ecclesiastical.) Freemasons: Lodge Fidelity. I.O.O.F., M. U.: Lodge Gawler. South Australian Banking Company; Manager, Alexander Grace. Union Bank of Australia; Manager, E. C. Windsor. Professional Life Assu- rance, F. F. Turner, J. Rudall, Esq. South Australian Insurance Com- pany (Fire) Duffield and Turner. Corporal Evans, in charge of Police. Five Hotels. Kensington and Norwood.—John Carlin, Mayor. Court Kensington, Forester's Lodge. Six hotels. Glenelo.—S. P. H. Wright, Mayor. Two hotels. Port Elliott and Goolwa.—Trains from Goolwa to Port Elliott. Port Elliott Institute; Secretary, William Small. Ferryboat to Hindmarsh Island. Special Magistrate, B. F. Laurie. Postmaster, J. P. Tripp. Deputy Haibor Master, F. Taylor. One hotel. CROWN LANDS.—Leases without the hundreds, ten shillings per annum per square mile; Pasturage Leases within the hundreds, where the District Councils Act is not in force, £1 per square mile; Depasturing Licenses for commonage as above—16 head of great cattle for each 80-acre section—five of small equivalent to one of great cattle. Sales of Crown Lands, by public auction, take place every Thursday, at the Local Court House, at eleven o'clock ; upset price 11. per acre. HARBOR DUES.—Scale of Harbor Dues leviable by the Harbor Trust upon all ships or Vessels entering Port Adelaide:—Vessels from Great Britain, Foreign Ports, Mauritius, Cape, and India, for every ton per register, 7s. 6d.; vessels from Australian Colonies, Van Diemen's Land, and New Zealand, for every ton per register, 2d.; vessels from ditto, ditto, ditto, if paid in advance, per quarter, for every ton per register, 6d.; vessels con- stantly engaged in coasting trade, payable in advance, per quarter, for every ton per register, 3d. ; vessels occasionally engaged in coasting trade, per voyage, for every ton per register, Id. On Vessels from Great Britain, Mauritius, the Cape, India, and Foreign Ports: For mooring vessels from 70 to 100 tons, 15s. ; for unmooring ditto, 15s.; for removing ditto, 11. 10s. And, in addition, for every 20 tons above 100 tons register: For mooring, 2s.; for unmooring, 2s.; for removing, 2s. The rate of Harbor Dues on Vessels entering Port Adelaide from Victoria, Van Diemen's Land, the other Australian Colonies, and coastwise: For mooring and unmooring vessels from 70 to 100 tons per voyage, 10s. ; for each removal, 11. And, in addition, for every 20 tons above 100 tons register, to be charged: For mooring and unmooring, 2s. ; for removing, 2s. LIGHT DUES.—The rate of light dues on vessels from Great Britain, Mauritius, the Cape, India, and Foreign Ports, 3d. in per ton and 3d. out per ton. The rate of light dues on vessels from Victoria, Van Diemen's Land, and the other Australian Colonies, l$d. in per ton and lJd. out per ton. And the rate of light dues on vessels coastwise: From 30 to 60 tons per voyage, 3s.; from 50 to 100 tons per voyage, 7s.; and above 100 tons, at the rate of Id. in and Id. out per ton. NEWSPAPERS.—South Australian Register, daily; Adelaide Observer, weekly. A German paper is published weekly, and the Government Gazette every Thursday. POPULATION.—Estimated population on 31st March, 1858:—males, 66,698 ; females, 54,823 ; total, 111,521. 156 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. RATES OF PILOTAGE.—For every vessel taking a pilot, 21. 5s.; and. In addition, for every foot of draft above nine feet, 15s. SAILING DIRECTIONS.—A full account of Sailing Directions for Har- bors, Out-Ports, &c., are published iu the Royal South Australian Almanac for 1858, issued by R. Douglas, Chief Harbor Master. STEAMERS.— To Port Lincoln and Port Augusta, the steamer Marion; to Guichen Bay, the steamer Ant; to Melbourne, the HaviXah, Burra Hurra and the Admdla; to the River Murray, by the Company's vessels, from Adelaide. TARIFF.—All imported goods, with the following exceptions, are admitted at a duty of five per cent, ad valorum :—Beer, porter, ale, cider, and perry, 4d. per gall. Bricks, fire and bath, 5s. per 1000. Coffee, 6s. per cwt. Corn, meal, flour, viz: wheat, barley, oats, maize, and millett, peas, beans, and pulse, (id. per quarter ; malt, 3d. per quarter: flour, meal, bran, and pollard, 2d. per 100 lbs. Fruit (dried) of all sorts, 4s. per cwt. Hops, 2d. per lb. Iron, bar and rod, 10s. per ton; sheet and hoop, 14s. per ton; pig, 2s. per ton. Pitch and tar Is. 6d. per barrel. Provisions and pre- served meats, 3s. per cwt. Resin, 6s. per bar. Salt, 3s. per ton. Spirits or strong waters of all sorts, 9s per gall. Sugar, refined and candy, 4s. per cwt.; muscovado, 2s. per cwt.; Molasses, Is. per cwt. Tea, 2d. per lb. Tobacco, manufactured, Is. per lb. ; unmanufactured, 6d. per lb.; ctga,-8 and cheroots, 2s. 6d. per lb.; muff, Is. per lb.; sulphered and tarred for sheepwash, 6d. per lb. Wine, Is. per gall. Wood, posts and rails, band- spikes, and poles, Is. per 100; pailings, 6d. per 100 ; shingles and laths, fid. per 1000 ; trenails and spokes, 2d. per 100. Oars, 2s. per 100 ft. ; square timber, balks, deals, battens, quartering, planks, boards, and sawn, hewn, or split timber of all kinds, not otherwise enumerated or described, 2s. 6d. per 40 cubic ft. Free JJM.—Animals, living; baggage of passengers; books, printed; bullion and coin ; coals, coke, and other fuel; plants and trees; seeds and roots, garden ; specimens illustrative of natural history; pictures and prints; works of art; wool; tallow; skins and hides (aw); bark; gum; bales of wool; and ore bags. TONNAGE DUES.—Vessels loading or discharging at the wharves are charged 3d. per ton register TOWAGE RATES FOR STEAM-TUG.—For vessels of 200 tons, SI.; for every additional ton, 7d.; or towing loaded lighters (100 tons), 8/.; for every additional ton, 7d.; for towing empty lighters, 41. NEW SOUTH WALES. 157 NEW SOUTH WALES. POSITION AND BOUNDARIES. The colony of New South Wales (so named by Capt. Cook from its fancied resemblance to the South Wales of the mother country) occupies the eastern side of the continent of Australia. On the east it is bounded by the Pacific Ocean, from whence it stretches into the interior as far as the line of the 141 st meridian, which divides it from South Australia. The line of the 26th parallel is its northern frontier, but it is proposed to form a separate colony of the northern portion, now known as the Moreton Bay District, with the 30th parallel as its southern limit. The southern boundary is a line drawn from Cape Howe to the River Murray, near Mount Kosciusko, which separates it from Victoria, and thence along the course of the river to the meridian of 141" E. The area embraced within its limits is upwards of 400.000 square miles, form- ing a compact mass of territory. Along its maritime frontier, between the 26th parallel and Cape Howe, a range of about 900 miles, there are many inlets forming safe and excellent harbors, the entrances to which are mostly narrow, and only visible when a vessel nears the land. SEASONS AND CLIMATE. The climate of New South Wales, particularly in the inland districts, is highly salubrious, although the heat in summer is sometimes excessive. The seasons are the opposite of those in England, .1anuary being the middle of summer, and July of winter. Spring and autumn are brief, but well defined, and the winter is of a bracing coolness. During the summer months hot winds occasionally blow from the north-west, and probably derive their heat from the immense tract of country which they traverse. They seldom continue more than twelve hours and are generally succeeded by a southerly gale, which seldom lasts longer than half an hour and is followed by heavy showers of rain. In the autumn months the weather is generally unsettled, and the month of March may be considered the rainy season. The land breezes at this time are usually from south to west, and somewhat feeble. During the winter months the mornings and evenings are chilly, and the nights cold; hoar frosts are frequent and are more severe in the interior. In the spring months the cold begins very sensibly to moderate, with occasional showers; but the weather upon the whole, is clear and pleasant. I 160 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. seemed to defy all communication with the interior. Their summits were deemed inaccessible, and even the aborigines declared them to be impassable. However, in 1813, a severe drought compelled an arduous search for new pasturage; and a pass was at last found by Messrs. Wentworth, Blaxland, and Lawson, by following the course of the River Grose, and a road was soon commenced and completed. Governor Macquarie was relieved in December, 1821, and was succeeded by Major-General Sir Thomas Brisbane, K.C.B., during whose administration the liberty of the press was established, the right to publish being previously prohibited except by direct license from the governor. He remained in office until the latter end of 1825, when he was succeeded by Lieutenant-General Darling, whose adminis- tration extended to October, 1831. It was surrounded with many serious difficulties and embarrassments: some, perhaps, attributable to the many unpopular proceedings of his own, and others to the violence of faction. His successor, Sir Richard Bourke, was a far more popular governor; but the vexed question of convict discipline, and the vehement oppo- sition of the free colonists to the conferring political and social rights upon the emancipists, still embarrassed the proceedings of the government, and the fierceness of partizanship con- trasted strongly with those beneficent and wise measures which are recorded on the pedestal of the statue of Sir Richard, which the grateful colonists erected in the Outer Domain, by subscription, after his departure. Sir Richard Bourke, after six years' administration of the Government, embarked on the 5th of December, 1837, for England, and on the 23rd of February, 1838, Sir George Gipps arrived in Sydney and assumed the reins of Government. One of his first acts was to throw open the proceedings of the Legislative Council to the public and the press. The year 1838 was disastrous to the colony, whether as regarded in its commercial, agricultural or pastoral enterprise; and in November a day of general fasting and humiliation was appointed to be held throughout the territory, severely suffer- ing from a long protracted drought. On the 7th of January, 1839, the minimum price of Crown Land was raised from 5s. to 12s. per acre; and on the 22nd of March, 1839, an act for regulating the occupation of Crown Lands, known as the Squatting Act, was passed in an extraor- dinary session of the Nominee Legislature. Both measures materially affected the sales of lands. The amount realised in 1837, was .£116,475; in 1839, £92,968; and a downward ten- dency of a more considerable character was evinced for some years. On the 20th of October, Sir George Gipps announced to the Legislative Council the determination of Her Majesty's Government to discontinue transportation to New South Wales; and on the 20th of November, 1839, His Excellency 162 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. the consequent necessity on the part of the banks to restrict their discounts as suddenly; the fall in wool fifty per cent, below its former prices; the destruction of the crops by two years' drought—these were the most prominent among the causes of the embarrassment of the colony. Painful dis- closures in respect to the mismanagement of the Bank of Australia, and certain malpractices on the part of some of the chief officers of the Sydney Banking Company, tended to increase the panic and monetary confusion. The value of cattle and sheep was so depressed, that the conversion of them into tallow was generally determined upon by the graziers; and " boiling down " operations were begun on a large scale. This manufacture, begun in despair, was carried out to a great extent in succeeding years. The export of tallow, which in 1843 was 5,680 cwt, amounted, in 1850, to 128,000 cwt. The importation of tallow candles between those years, was at the rate of £20,000 per annum; but the establishment of extensive candle manufactories during the last few years, in all parts of the colony, has prevented the continuance of a large export of tallow, and during the past year no more than 22,298 cwt. was shipped. The first session of the Legislative Council ended on the 28th of December. The panic that had overtaken the colony created much discussion and alarm. To the question, "To what do you attribute the present monetary embarrassment of the colony?" the reply of the gentlemen connected with the committee which had been appointed, may be summed up in a very few words: "The immense abstraction of the public moneys of the colony to pay for the transmission of labor for private purposes." Further discussions on this subject soon afterwards arose both in Sydney and in England, in reference to the abstraction of the colonial land funds for immigration purposes. The Under-Secretary of State for the colonies, Mr. Herman Merivale, when occupying the chair of Political Economy at Oxford, propounded his Land Preparation Theory, which, it mast be remarked, had been frequently brought before the colonists, with equal ability, by Dr. Bland, in speeches made by him in the Legislative Council. On the 2nd of April, 1844, Sir George Gipps issued a new code of regulations relative to the occupation of Crown lands beyond the boundaries of present location. The squatting in- terests took the alarm,anda strong agitation was raised through, out every district of the colony, both within and without the boundaries. The " Pastoral Association of New South Wales" was formed, and meetings held in various parts of the colony. Nineteen petitions, bearing 6,500 signatures, of gentlemen largely connected with the pastoral, commercial, and maritime interests, were presented to the Council, and transmitted to England for presentation to Her Majesty and Parliament. On the 20th of June, the select committee presented their NEW SOUTH WALES. 163 report, together with a voluminous mass of evidence, to the Colonial Legislature. After an elaborate examination of each of the grievances to which the evidence referred, the committee prefaced their recommendations by advising that an address be presented to the Governor, requesting that the Pastoral Regulations of the 2nd of April be recalled, because they were in the opinion of every witness impracticable in principle, and oppressive and ruinous in detail. At the commencement of 1845, the Bank of Australasia having entered an action against the Bank of Australia for the recovery of £160,000 borrowed money, Ihe trial com- menced before the Supreme Court, Sydney, and ended on the 8th of April, when the jury not agreeing, no verdict was returned. In June, the Court at the request of both parties, granted a trial at bar, which lasted 20 days. The jury found a special verdict, which still left the case in a doubtful position. The plaintiffs appealed to the Privy Council, and finally, judgment was given against the Bank of Australia. To the credit of New South Wales, it is to be recorded, that the whole of the debt, together with interest, costs, and various heavy expenses, was paid by the shareholders of the latter ill-fated institution, whose mismanagement had involved many of the oldest and most respectable colonists in ruin. In July, Sir George Gipps issued a new code of Squatting Regulations, greatly modifying the unpopular code of 1844. In December, His Excellency received a despatch from Lord Stanley, directing him, with the assistance of the Executive Council to take evidence and report upon :—1. The advantages and disadvantages of the proposed Separation of the Middle (Sydney) and Southern (Port Phillip) Districts of New South Wales. 2. The most eligible boundaries of the colony of Port Phillip in the event of Separation being conceded. 3. The form of Constitution for Port Phillip, which the Executive Council and the members for Port Phillip and Melbourne may recommend. The desired inquiry was accordingly begun, and Dr., now Sir Charles Nicholson, Mr. J. P. Robinson, Mr. Thomas Walker, the Rev. Dr. Lang, and other gentlemen interested in the question, were examined. Separation having been conceded, it is now useless to trace the rise, progress, and ultimate success of one of the most important movements in the history of British colonisation, and which erected the dependent district of Port Phillip into a separate colony, honored by the Queen designating it Victoria. Sir George Gipps, who had firmly opposed the plan of " Finan- cial Division" when that boon was prayed for by the Port Phillip colonists, found at last that they would accept of no terms but those of "Political Separation." On the 26th January 1846, the anniversary of the foundation of New South Wales, a grand banquet was given to Mr. W. C. NEW SOUTH WALES. 167 measure did not arrive here until after the departure of Sir Charles, who retired amidst the approving plaudits of the people. His Excellency died in London, on the 19th of February, 1858. The political features in the administration of his successor, Sir William Denison, have, as yet, been those necessarily attending the establishment and inauguration of the new font of government, which renders necessary the entire revision ol the existing electoral system. The inauguration of the new Act was celebrated on the 17th July, 1856, by a National Ban- quet, to which the Governor-General, the Judges, the former Ministers and those of the day, the Foreign Consuls, and Mr. James Macarthur were invited to attend. The hon. Dr. Bland, the earliest champion in the cause of Responsible Government, presided. Various changes in the ministry have taken place since that time; and at the date of writing this, the new electoral bill has not passed into a law. All other great questions, now lying in abeyance, must therefore be deferred until a new parliament assembles. In other departments, religious, educational, scientific, lite- rary and social, the administration of Sir William Denison has been one of marked progress; new churches, colleges, schools, and scientific institutions and societies have arisen and are rapidly advancing. His Excellency's lectures before the Philosophical, the Agricultural, and the Horticultural Societies of New South Wales, and the Young Men's Christian Association, together with his visit to Norfolk Island to inquire into the condition of the Pitcairn Islanders (recently trans- planted from their less genial home) and confer on them a political constitution, give ample promise, that so soon as present political difficulties are adjusted, the admi- nistration of Sir William Denison will be one in every way illustrative of the " Poetry of Progress." STATISTICS. The Sydney branch of the Royal Mint was established on May 13th, 1855, During the year 1857 the coin issued con- sisted of 499,000 sovereigns, and 537,000 half sovereigns. The total value, £767,500. The quantity of gold dust received for the purpose of coinage, from January 1st to August 6th, 18. 8, was 213,174 ounces, the total value of gold coined being 595,500 sovereigns, and 486,000 half sovereigns, the total being £838,500; which is an increase, during the seven months, of £71,000 over the entire amount coined during the previous year, 1857. The coin is declared a legal tender throughout the Australasian colonies. 170 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. is Fort Macquarie; and on the west, Dawes' Battery. There has also been a battery lately constructed on the point at the western entrance to Woolloomooloo Bay, known as Lady Macquarie's Chair; and a splendid fort and martello tower on Pinchgut Island; together with a battery on Kirabili Point, on the north shore. The ranges from these batteries will completely command that part of the harbor by which the city is approached. The views from the higher part of the city are bold, varied and picturesque. To seaward the magnificent harbor of Port Jackson—capacious, convenient and equal to any in the world—with its numerous and romantic inlets, or coves, presents one of the grandest and most interesting features of natural beauty in Australasia. Inland, the diversity of hill and dale, of rock and woodland, of grassy slopes and brilliant parterres, with their orange groves and vineyards, interspersed with stately mansions, substantial homes, and neat cottages, combine in forming many inte- resting and pleasing prospects. The harbor, which in some places is three miles broad, is completely land-locked; it possesses excellent anchorage, and is well sheltered from storms. Extensive and well arranged docks, for repairing ships and steamers of the largest tonnage, have been constructed. The Royal Mail steamers are placed in the dry dock, Waterview Bay, on their arrival. Along the water-side are wharves, stores, ship-yards, patent slips, mills, manufactories, &c.; behind these, terrace-like, rise the nume- rous public and private buildings of the metropolis. The streets are mostly laid out at right angles, are long and wide, well macadamized, and are lit with gas. George and Pitt- streets have a width of sixty feet for carriage way and a pathway of twelve feet. Lofty stone or brick edifices, with handsome shops, range along the principal streets. Sydney has several extensive public parks, the principal of which are Hyde Park (between the city and the suburb of Woolloomooloo) and the Outer Domain—the Inner Domain being the enclosed ground around Government House. In the vicinity of the latter, and bounded on one side by the picturesque inlet known as Farm Cove, are situated the Botanical Gardens, in which there are specimens of almost every tropical plant. These gardens, to which the admission is free, form, in connection with the Outer Domain and the peninsula lying between Woolloomooloo Bay and Farm Cove and which is terminated by Lady Macquarie's Chair, one of the principal resorts of the citizens. The public buildings of Sydney are numerous, and may fairly vie with those of a European capital. The Government House, situated in a demesne overlooking the harbor, is built of white freestone, in the Elizabethan style. The Legislative and Executive Council Chambers form an extensive range of buildings. The Australian Mint is a noble structure. 172 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. breadth of nave and adjoining aisles, 62 feet; and of the choir within the screens, 37 feet; height of the two western towers, 116 feet; the eastern tower, 84 feet; and the roof, 64 feet. The new Town Hall, in the course of erection, is intended to accommodate five or six thousand persons, on occasions of public meetings, balls, concerts, &c. The offices connected with the business of the Corporation (see names elsewhere) will be on the basement story, and the whole arrangements of the building are very complete. The sewerage of the city has been well provided for. The Great Southern Railwayconnects Sydney with Newtown, Petersham, Ashneld, Burwood, Homebush, Parramatta, Fair- field, Liverpool and Campbelltown—thirty-four miles. The line of the Great Northern Railway extends from Newcastle to Honeysuckle Point, Waratah, Hexham, East and West Mait- land—twenty miles. A line of electric telegraph is now nearly completed between Sydney and Albury, a border-town of New South Wales and Victoria. Albury is about 360 miles from Sydney, and when the telegraph is finished the communication will be complete between Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, the capitals of the three colonies. The Observatory is a great ornament to the town. The position is excellent, and it is situated so that a full view can be obtained of the harbor and the city. There are already ten Meteorological Observatories in full work, stationed severally at Cape Moreton, Armidale, Ettrick (Richmond River), Maitland, Bathurst, Parramatta, Deniliquin, Albury, and Cooma. The recent enlargements and improvements of St. Philip's Church have been effected; also St. Mary's Cathedral; the Independent Church, and the United Presbyterian Church. The Destitute Childrens' Asylum, at Ran Iwick (near Coogee), is as far completed as it is intended to be at present, and occupied by 150 children, the old establishment at Pad- dington having been abandoned. The great function that Sydney performs for the colony, is that of being the entrepot of its commerce. It is also the political metropolis, and the resort of hundreds who, having made their fortunes, choose to reside where the conveniences of living are most multiplied, and who prefer the society and amusements of a city to rural pleasures. Commerce, however, is the great feature of Sydney. Extensive operations are car- ried on in connection with the South Sea whaling, and hither come the foreign imports and the Island produce of the Pacific, for re-distribution over the whole territory. Hither, too, comes the colonial produce that is ready for exportation, Sydney has many populous suburbs, including Woolloomoo- loo, Surrey Hills, Paddington, the Glebe, Newtown, Redfern, NEW SOUTH WALES. 173 Balmain, Pyrmont, St Leonard's, North Shore, South Head Road, &c., all of which may be regarded as portions of the city, in consequence of the extensive building operations of the last few years. From the directory of Sydney, published in 1858, we gather that there were 111 merchants, 31 importers, 8 custom house agents, 85 brokers, 40 auctioneers, 25 warehousemen, 68 corn factors and dealers in produce, 37 timber merchants, 12 wool- brokers, 8 potato and 11 coal and fuel merchants, 13 millers, 6 flour merchants, 32 wine and spirit merchants, 287 grocers, 193 butchers, 97 bakers, 84 greengrocers, 32 confectioners, 10 poulterers, 22 dairymen, 6 fishmongers (about 60 street sales- men), 487 publicans, 307 shoemakers, 193 tailors, 127 drapers, 15 hatters, 43 dressmakers, 38 milliners, 54 architects and engineers, 128 builders, 241 carpenters, 134 masons, 44 quarry- men, 8 brickmakers, 56 plastere s, 147 painters and glaziers, 108 upholsterers, 89 smiths, 18 brassfounders, 49 ironmongers, 27 earthenware dealers. There are other occupations enumerated in the work not mentioned in this list. COUNTIES AND TOWNS PROCLAIMED BY LETTERS PATENT. (The figures after the names of the towns, show the number of miles from Sydney). Cumberland (Metropolitan County): Sydney (city); Parra- matta, 15; Windsor, 35; Richmond, 39; Liverpool, 20; Cam- belltown, 33; Castlereagh, 39 ; Appin, 45; St. Leonards, suburb; Pitt Town, 34; Penrith, 33; Longbottom, 7i.—Camden: Ber- rima, 86; Kiama, 88; Wollongong, 64; Wilton, 43; Picton, 52; Camden, 40; Murrumba. St Vincent: Braidwood, 164; Broulee, 190; Kioloa; Ulladulla, 165; Huskisson, 125.—Nor- thcmberland: Newcastle, 80; East and West Maitland, 127; Greta; Wolombi, 93; Gosford, 35; Singleton, 120—Durham: Paterson, 130; Seaham; Clarence Town ; Dungog, 125; Leam- ington; Merton, 180; Musswellbrook, 160; Aberdeen.—Hun- ter: Jerry's Plains, 190; St. Albans, 70.—Cook : Hartley, 78; Emu, 36; Bowenfells, 80 ; Kydal, 86.—Westmoreland : O'Con- nell, 115.—Argtle: Goulburn, 125 ; Marulan, 109 ; Bungonia, 117—Murray: Yass, S., 186; Queanbeyan, 182; Bungen- dore, 160; Lasbert. KinG: Gunning, 131; Yass, N., 186.— Georgiana: Buckburridgee; Cook's Vale.—Bathurst: Bath- urst, 121; Blaney, 136; Carcoar, 145.—Roxburgh: Kelso; Bylstone, 161; Rydal, W., 36.—Phillip: Cooyal, 150.—Bris- bane: Scone, 191; Murrurundi, 196; Merriwa; Ailsa.—Bligh: Casilis, 245.—Wellington: Wellington, 231; Mudgee, 171; Orange, 157.— Gloi cester: Raymond Terrace, 100; Stroud, 30.—Macquarie: Port Macquarie, 278; Wingham; Kemp- sey; Marraville. 174 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Northern Counties. Stanley: Brisbane, 640; Ipswich.—Canning: Toorbul.— Mabch: Maryborough.—Lennox.—Fitz Ror. — Cavendish.— Aubiont: Drayton, 172.—Chorchill.—Meritale: Warwick, 632.— Bentiuck. — Buller. — Ward.— Rons. — Richmond — Drake.—Clive.—Godoh.— Hardinge.—Gresham.—Raxeigh. —Clarence: Grafton.— Dudley.— Vernon.—Inolis: Tam- worth, 275.—Darling.— Pottinger.— Bdckland.—Parry.— Hawes. Southern and Western Counties. Napier.-Gowen — Lincoln: Dubbo,260.—Gordon: Korea. —Ashbrdnham.—Monteagle: Mulgan.—Harden: Binalong, 111; Munringo; Bookham: Bowning; Jugiong, 230,—Cla- rendon, Gundagai, 255.—Wynyabd; Wogga Wogga.—Godx- burn: Albury, 360.—Buccledch: Tumut, 249.—Cowley.— Beresford: Cooma, 254; Bunyan.—Dampier.—Auckland: Eden, 350; Boyd, 240; Pambula, 236.—Wellesley : Bombalo, 290. Wallace. SHIPPING, HARBORS, &c. About 1100 vessels entered the ports during 1857, with a gross burden of 351,413 tons, and with a marine population of 18,728 persons. Of these vessels, 770, or rather more than two-thirds, arrived with cargo, 330 in ballast; but of this latter number, all but 57 were bound to the port of Newcastle to take in coals, there being no return freight to that port. The destination of the majority of the ships was port Jack- son, the great focus of the marine trade of the colony, a pre- eminence it owes to its unrivalled facilities for shipping, both coastwise and by inland transit: nearly all the foreign trade converges to Sydney. With the exception of coals, very little native produce is shipped away from local ports, nearly all of it finds its way first to the great central emporium. This con- centration of trade in the metropolis tends, undoubtedly, to aggrandise the chief city at the expense of the outports ; but there is a mercantile compensation in the greater cheapness and convenience that is induced: the course of free trade shews that it is cheaper as well as, in other respects, more con- venient for produce to be forwarded to a central depot, where every commercial facility is to be obtained, rather than to foster the premature independence of outports. In this way, not only does wool come down from Port Curtis, but is even brought from New Zealand to be sold or shipped at Sydney. The outports of New South Wales certainly have rather a limited foreign trade: thus, at Twofold Bay, a really con- venient harbor, only two ships were entered. The district, however, which it is adapted to accommodate is, comparatively speaking, not of any very great extent, and a considerable portion of the local trade which might concentrate there is NEW SOUTH WALES. 175 intercepted by the adjacent port of Broulee, situated a little more to the north, and, in some respects, more convenient for the back country. Port Stephens, the second best harbor in New South Wales, makes no figure as a commercial entrepot: its comparative desolation is in strange contrast with its capabilities. New- castle, though far inferior as a port, has run away with the trade of the Hunter River, as well as that of the pastoral coun- try beyond, and the railway will tend to confirm and con- solidate that supremacy. Railways will in future be likely to alter greatly the present course of traffic, diverting it from existing routes into new channels. The limited maritime business of Moreton Bay, is very remarkable, considering the quantity of pastoral produce raised in the northern districts; only twelve vessels were entered at that port in the course of the year, being at the rate of one a month: the main cause of this is, doubtless, the very inferior accommodation that exists there for vessels of a large class—a matter which will, doubtless, engage the attention of the first legislature of the new colony, for we can hardly imagine that after the separation, the northerners will be con- tent to see their produce all carried away by coasting steamers, to the envied metropolis of the south, without an effort to retain it. The difficulty and expense that will be attendant on making a satisfactory port anywhere in Moreton Bay, may precipitate the development of some of the more northern ports. Wide Bay, Port Curtis, and Rockhampton, are said to possess natural advantages which could be turned to account at less comparative cost than would be necessary at Brisbane, but they are further removed from the present nucleus of pop- ulation, though not less favorably situated as respects access to the interior. The amount of shipping, taken as a whole, represents pretty nearly the extent of the inward and outward commerce of the colony; but some of it is independent, and is the consequence of the maritime facilities offered by the port of Sydney: Thus, thirty vessels from the South Sea whale fisheries during the year put into Port Jackson. Compared with the number of vessels cruising about in these seas, this cannot be considered a large number, seeing that no port in this hemisphere can offer such advantages for refitting as Port Jackson. During the past year the convenience afforded by this harbor to whalers has been illustrated in several instances, and its advantages only require to be more widely known, to be more generally used. Thirty nine vessels from various islands in the South Seas also entered the port during the year: a proof of its superiority as a com- mercial entrepot for the scattered traffic of the South Pacific. The number of vessels registered for the year ending 31st December, 1857, including steamers, was 500, the gross tonnage being 52,661 tons, employing about 3,757 men and boys. NEW SOUTH WALES. 177 annual statistics of the colony, which are compiled from official returns in the Colonial Secretary's office. In that year it was shewn that six coal mines had been worked, producing 48,416i tons of the declared value of £14,647. From that date the coal-mining operations of the Punter district exhibit a rapid increase. The Australian Agricultural Company had given up the monopoly of coal-mining (very irregularly granted to them by the Earl of Bathurst, when he held the Colonial Seals in 1824); and operations on the rich and extensive seams of Burwood Hills, a short distance from Newcastle, had begun. During the year ending March 31, 1858, the quantity of coal raised from the three of the latter Company's pits which are now worked, was 90,634 tons, of which 39,397 were shipped at Newcastle for Melbourne. The quantity pro- duced from two of the Burwood Hill tunnels was 91,950 tons —being an excess over the year's products of the Australian Agricultural Company's pits of 1,316 tons. The Newcastle Coal and Copper Company, also shipped largely to Melbourne and Geelong during the same period, but we are not in posses- sion of the exact quantities. The country more immediately con- nected with Newcastle in which workable coal seams exist, may be considered as occupying an area of at least 200 square miles.in which there is a known series of four or five seams, making an average of from 19 to 20 feet of coal. The Rev. W. B. Clarke has prepared some valuable documents in reference to the progress of the mines, and the prospects of the colony in reference to the production of coal. At Morpeth and Hexham, on the Hunter ; at Wollongongto the south, and Brisbane to the north, and in other locales, valuable coal seams were opened, and seventeen pits and tunnels aie now reported to have been worked, the yield from fifteen of which, during the year ending 31st December, 1857, was 210,434 tons, of the declared value of £148,158. But whilst the export trade during the last nine years rapidly increased, from the causes we have already adverted to, imports of coal have made no mean item in our Statistics of Customs, since the commencement of steam communication between England and Australia in 1852. The following are the official returns during the last five years; the imported coal having been brought, with fractional exceptions, from Cardiff, in Old South Wales, for coaling the ocean steam- ships :— Exports. Imports. Quantity. Tons. Value. Quantity. Tons. 8,889 .. . 19,966 .. 2,577 .. 1,083 .. . 11,£68 Value. 69,297 . 61,484 84,086 .. 81,078 101,752 . 58,893 . 65,730 . 46,120 . £ 18,097 21,962 4,368 2,355 16,031 1855 .... 353,573 . 84,573 .. 63,393 178 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Captain J. Lort Stokes, R.N., whose discoveries in Australia have so richly contributed to the stores of geographical know- ledge, visited Newcastle in 1851, and carefully inspected the coal mines. In a letter to the then Colonial Secretary, the Honorable E. Deas Thomson, Esq., dated the 20th June, he says:—"At Newcastle we tried a seam of coal belonging to the Australian Agricultural Company, and found it to raise steam twenty-Jive minutes sooner than is effected by English coal" Mr. John Anderson, inspector of machinery at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, reports, that upon the return to England of the E. and A.R.M.S. Company's steamship Oneida, under sail (her machinery having broken down during her voyage to Suez), six bags of the coal with which she had been fur- nished in Sydney, by the Australian Agricultural Company, with a view to subject the coal during the voyage, to various severe tests, was forwarded under the sanction of the Home authorities, to the chemical department in the Royal Arsenal, in order to make trial of its time value for steam-engine pur- poses ; and the relative merits of New South Wales, Whitworth, Welch, and Hartley coals. Having described the mode by which he combined the four descriptions of coals with eight successive experiments, he pronounces his opinion, "that for steam purposes, the coals received from the Oneida were about equal to the Newcastle coal termed Whitworth, which corre- spond with a considerable variety known as Wallsend, Lamb- ton, Peland, Primrose, &c., but that it is slightly inferior to the Hartley and Welch variety of coals." Mr. Anderson adds, that the three kinds of English and Welch coals were selected at random, from the balk used in the furnaces of the Royal Arsenal; and we may also observe, that the coals supplied to the Oneida were taken from the A. A. Company's D. and E. pits, near Newcastle, and that no further care was taken in screening them than is always observed in supplying our colonial steam marine. The following return shews the quantity and value of coal obtained in the years specified:— Ykar. No. of Mines. Quantity. Value. Tons. £ s. d. 1849 6 .. 48.516J 14,647 4 3 1850 9 .. 71.216J 23,375 16 6 1851 10 .. 67,610 25,546 8 6 1852 10 .. 67,404 36,886 2 0 1853 13 .. 96,809 78,059 0 0 1854 12 .. 116,642 119,380 8 0 1855 14 .. 137,076 89,082 18 0 1856 14 .. 189,960 117,906 17 7 1857 ..: 17 .. 210,484 148,168 5 6 180 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. POPULATION. Return of the increase and decrease of the Population of New South Wales from the 1st March to December, 18-57, and of the total number on the latter date:— Increase by immigration (including military'), male, 11,135: female, 6,397; total, 17,532. Increase by births, male, 6,266; female, 6,235; total, 12,501. Total increase, male, 17,401; female, 12,632; general total, 30,033. Decrease by departure, male, 4,612; female, 1848; (No account of immigration to or from Yictoria via Albury, &c.) Decrease by deaths, male, 2,998; female, 1,961; total, 4,959. Total decrease, male, 7,610; female, 3,809; general total, 11,419. Net increase, male, 9,791; female, 8,823; total, 18,614. Population on 31st December, 1856:—male, 161,882; female, 124,991; total, 286,873. Population on 31st December, 1857: —male, 171,673; female, 133,814; total, 305,487. TALLOW AND LAUD. The returns from the slaughtering and boiling establish- ments are not yet completed; several not being yet furnished to the Government. The following may be taken as a near approximation, in round numbers :— Sheep slaughtered, 280,000; horned cattle, 50,000, tallow produced, 100,000 cwt.; pigs slaughtered, 1000; lard produced, 35,000 lbs. GOVERNMENT, LAW, &c. GOVERNMENT.—His Excellency Sir William Thomas Denison, Knight- Commander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Governor- General in and over all Her Majesty's Colonies of New South Wales, Van Diemen's Land, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia; and Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of the Territory of New South Wales and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same. Private Secretary: Alfred Denison. Aide-de-Camp: Laurence H. Scott, Captain 11th Regiment. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.—President: the Governor. Colonial Secre- tary: Hon. Charles Cowper, Esq. Attorney-General: Hon. James Martin, Esq. Solicitor-General: Hon. A. J, P. Lutwyche, Esq. Colonial Treasurer: Hon. Robert Campbell, Esq. Secretary for Lands and Public Works: Hon. John Robertson, Esq. Clerk of Executive Council: E. C. Merewether. Under Secretary: W. Elyard. Secretary to Treasurer: H. Lane. Under-Secretary to Board of Crown Lands and Public Works: M. Fitzpatrick. PARLIAMENT.—Legislative Coencil.—Consists of forty-three Mem- bers. The following are their names:—A. A'Beckett, J. Alexander, G. Allen, A. Berry, J. W. Bligh, E. Broadhurst, Sir W. W. Burton (president), A. Bushby, J. Comrie, J. Dickson, J. Docker, H. G. Douglass, W. P. Faithfull, R. Fitzgerald, G. Hill, G. K. Holden, T. Hood. R. M. Isaacs, R. P. Jenkins, R. Johnson, D. Jones, E. Knox, Capt. J, Lamb, Capt. R. Lethbridge, F. Lord, A. J. P. Lutwyche, J. Macnamara. F. L. S. Merewether, J. Mitchell, J. L. Monteflore, J. Norton, C. Riley, H. NEW SOUTH WALES. 183 street; and Savings' Bank, Barrack - street. Branches of the Savings' Bank are established at Parramatta, Windsor, Maitland, Eathurst, Goulburn, Singleton, Newcastle, Wollongong, and Sofala. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SYDNEY.—Chairman: Mr. Willis. Deputy Chairman: G. Thorne. Secretary: A. Thomson. Newcastle Chamber of Commerce—Secretary: P. M'Auliffe. CONSULS OR REGULAR CONSULAR OFFICERS.—America (United States of): R. D. Merrill, Consul. Belgium: M. Cloquet, Consul-General Hugo Von der Nahmer, Acting Consul. Bremen and Lubeck: Louis Chapalay, Acting-Consul. Chili; W. H. Eldred, Consul. Denmark: G. Were, Vice-Consul. France : L. F. Sentis, Consul. Hamburgh: R. Waterson, Acting-Consul, Sydney; G. Appel, Vice-Consul at South Brisbane, Moreton Bay. Hanover: J. Dhanis, Consul. Hawaiian Islands: C. St. Julian, Consul-General. Naples and Sicily: L. F. Sentis, Consular Agent. Netherlands: G. Kohler, Consul; F. C. Prost, Vice- Consul. Portugal: M. J. Soares, Consul. Prussia: — Kiachner, Consul. Russia: E. M. Paul, Vice-Consul. Sardinia: P. A. Detruc, Consul- General. Spain: Consul. Sweden andNorway: G. Were, Consul. Switzerland: L. Chapalay, Consul. COMPANIES.—Sydney Exchange; Australian Trust; Colonial Sugar Refining; Ophir Copper Mining; Australian Gas Light; Bathurst Copper Mining; Carangara Copper; Wentworth Gold Field; FitzRoy Iron and Coal Mining; Pyrmont Briu>o; Australian Agricultural; Newcastle Col- liery; Peel River Land and Mineral; Australian Freumisons's Hall; Church of England Cemetery. CUSTOMS. — Collector of Customs at Sydney: Colonel J. G. N. Gibbes. The Out-ports are Newcastle, Brisbare, Eden, Botany Bay, and Broken Bay. EDUCATION.—Secretary of National Board: W. C. Wills. Schools- Denominational: King's (Parramatta), Protestant Orphan (Parramatta), Roman Catholic Orphan (Parramatta), St Phillip's, St. James's, and Female School of Industry. Also, Sydney Grammar School; Sydney College; Lyndhurst College; Moore College, Liverpool; Denominational Model Schools, Sydney ; and a large number of private schools. INSURANCE. — Sydney Insurance Company: Australian General Assurance; Sydney Marine Assurance; New South Wales Marine Assurance; Australian Mutual Provident Society; Derwent and Tamar Fire, Life, and Marine Iusurance; Launceston Fire and Marine Insurance. Branch Offices:—Liverpool and London Fire and Life Insurance; Royal Insurance; Waterloo Life Assurance; Alliance Life and Fire Insurance; Imperial Fire Insurance ; Profesional Life Assurance; People's Provident Assurance Society; Monarch Fire and Life Assurance; Northern Assurance of London; London and Oriental Steam Transit Insurance. Several of the offices in Sydney for insurance against fire grant policies on houses in the country. INSTITUTIONS.—Mechanics' School of Arts; Tarban Creek Asylum; Sydney Ophthalmic; Australian Library; Australian Museum; Austra- lian Club; St. Vincent's Hospital; Union Club; Sydney Club. MUNICIPAL.—Mayor: John Williams. Sixteen Aldermen for eight wards. Town Clerk, C. H. Woolcott. City Treasurer, E. Lord. City Engineer: Edward Bell. City Surveyor: T. R. Roe. Health Officer: Isaac Aaron, M.D. MINT.—Importation of gold dust or gold bullion for coinage, from twelve ounces upwards, ieceived at the Mint daily. Deputy Master of Mint: Capt. E. W. Ward, R.E. (See article elsewhere.) SOCIETIES.—Religious Societies—Diocesan Boird of Missions; the Church Society; Newcastle ditto; Young Man's Christian Association; Bible Society; Tract and Book ditto ; London Missionary Dorcas Society; Congregational Union, Church Building, and Missions Societies; Bethel Union. New South Wales Alliance for the Suppression of Intemperance. Miscellaneous—Hebrew Benefit; Jewish Philanthropic Society for Relief 184 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. of Destitute Children; Female Refuge; Infirmary and Dispensary; Benevolent Society; Metropolitan and Counties Permanent Building and Investment Society; Philosophical Society; Sydney Land and Benefit BuildingS Society; Celtic Association; Guarantee Society; Horticultural and Agricultural Society. STKAM BOAT COMPANIES.—Kiama Steam Navigation ; North Shore Ferry; Australasian Steam Navigation Company; Phoenix Wharf Steamers; European and Australian Royal Mail Steam Ships; Shoal haven Steam Navigation; Hunter Rivei- ditto. SYDNEY EXCHANGE COMPANY.—Chairman: T. C. Breillat Deputy Chairman: T. W. Smith. Secretary: Alex. Thomson. UNIVERSITY.—Provost: Sir Charles Nicholson. Vice-Provost: Hon. Frederick LewisMerewether, B.A. Professors: Rev. J. Woolley, D.C.L..; M. B. Pell, Esq., M.A. ; J. Smith, Esq., M.D.; Hons. P. Dutruc; J. H. Scott, Esq. Secretary: H. Kennedy, Esq. St. Paul's College is in con- nexion with the Sydney University, for the tuition of students belonging to the Church of England. Professor of Medicine: Dr. Smith. St. John's (R.C.) College is also in connection with the Sydney University, for students belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. Rector, the Very Rev. Dean, D. V. M. O'Connell. MISCELLANEOUS. COACHES run regularly from various Booking Offices to the different Townships in the interior, to and from Sydney, including Camden, Campbell town, Liverpool, Picton, Penrith, Parramatta, Narreilan, Mudgff, Hartley, Windsor, Bathurst, Sofala, Louisa Creek, Meroo, TamharoiLra, Goulburn, Yass, Gundagai, Myrtle Creek, Bargo, Iron Mines, Berrima, Puddy's River, Memlau, &c. ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—Communications by telegrams with South Head, Fort Phillip, Liverpool, Campbelltown, and Goulburn. Line in course of construction to connect Melbourne, Adelaide, &c., with Sydney. HACKNEY CARRIAGE FARES-—Faros by Distance:—Not exceeding half a mile, Ninepence; for every half mile or part of half mile over and above any number of miles or half miles completed, Ninepence. Fares by Time:—Not exceeding half an hour, Two Shillings and Threepence; for every half hour or part of half hour after any number of half hours com- pleted, Two Shillings and Threepence. One-horse Vehicles:—For every car or vehicle drawn by one-horse, two-thirds only of the above fares to be charged. IMMIGRATION.—Board consisting of several gentlemen, with staff of officers. Institution for Female Servants attached. Branches of Immi- gration Department at Moreton Bay. Full and detailed particulars of the Regulations for Immigrants' Passages, &c., are issued in Cox and Co.'s Australian Almanac, published in Sydney. NEWSPAPEP.S.—" Armidale Express," weekly; "Bell's Life in Sydney,'' weekly; "Bathjrst Free Press,"and "Times," weekly; "Church Chron- icle," weekly; "Era," weekly; "Freeman's Journal," Wednesdays and Saturdays; "Goulburn Chronicle," twice a week ; "Goulburn Herald," weekly; "Iltawarra Mercury," twice a week; "Maitland Mercury," Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; "Maitland Northern Times," twice a week; "Moreton Bay Courier," twice a week; "Moreton Bay Free Press," weekly; "Darling Downs Gazette," weekly; "Braidwood Dis- patch," weekly ; "Mudgee Times," weekly; "North Australian," Moreton Bay, weekly; "Sydney Morning Herald," daily; "Shipping Gazette," weekly; "Sydney Mercantile Journal," fortnightly; "Yass Courier," weekly. OMNIBUSES leave Sydney, at intervals during each day, for Surrey Hills, Woolloomooloo, Paddington, Glebe, Waverley. Newtown, Strawberry Hill, Camperdown, Cook's River, Darling Point, Redfern, Chippendale, Parramatta, South Head Lighthouse, &c. POST OFFICE, Syonby.— Postmaster-General: W. H. Christie. Secre- tary: T. K. Abbott. Town Letters— Not exceeding half oz., Id.; NEW SOUTH WALES. Ib5 exeeeding half oz. but not exceeding 1 oz., 2d.; exceedingB 1 oz., but not exceeding 2 oz., 4d. ; and so on increasing 2d. for every additional ounce or fraction of an ounce. Country Letters—Letters not exceeding half oz., 2d.; exceeding half oz., but not exceeding 1 oz., 4d.; exceeding 1 oz., but not exceeding 2 ozs., 8d.; and so on increasing 4d. forevery additional ounce or fraction of an ounce. Newspapers—to go by the morning mails must be posted before 8 a.m.; and for the afternoon mails before 3 p.m. at the General Post Office, and if posted within 7 days from the date of publication, nil ; if posted later, Id. each. Book Parcels—Opened both ends—Not exceeding 4 oz., 2d.; and Id. extra for every additional 2 oz. or fraction of 2 ozs. Inter-Colonial Postaoe.—Letters not exceeding halfoz., 6d. ; exceeding half oz.. but not exceeding 1 oz., Is. ; and so on in- creasing 6d. for every additional half ounce or fraction of a half ounce. Letters overland toor from Victoria are charged the same rates as when sent by sea. Inter-Colonial Book Packets—Not exceeding half-pound, 6d.; exceeding half-pound but not exceedi' g 1 pound, Is. ; and so on, increas- ing 8d. for every additional half-pound or portion of a half-pound. Iron Letter Receivers in various parts of the city. RAILWAYS —Chief Commissioners: Capt. B. H. Martindale, R.E., and Capt. E. W. Ward, R.E. Secretary: John Rae. Engineer-in-chief: J. Whitton. The lines now open are the Great Southern, from Sydney to Campbelltown, 34 miles ; and the Great Northern, from Newcastle to East Maitland, 16£ miles. SAILING DIRECTIONS for the Harbor of Port Jackson are issued by the New South Wales Government, containing particulars under the fol- lowing heads:— Aproach and Entrance, We-tern Channel, Eastern Channel, Entering in the night, Anchorage within the Heads, and Tides. These have been rendered necessary for Master Mariner?, in consequence of the erection of a new Lighthouse, and several additional Obelisks or Beacons. STEAM FERRIES cross the Harbor every few minutes to Balmain, Pyrmont, North Shore, &c. STEAMERS leave Sydney—(see daily papers and railway guide)—for Melbourne, New Hobart Town, Wollongong, t Parramatta, Brisbane, Broulee, Clarence River, Kiama, Grafton, Cundle Town, Eden, Morpeth, Newcastle, Raymond Terrace, Moretou Bay, Wide Bay, Manly Beach, Shoalhaven, &c. TARIFFS.—Import Duties: Sphits—Brandy and gin, per gal., 10s.; whiskey, rum, and all other spirits, per gal., 7s.; spirits, cordials, liqueurs, or strong waters, sweetened or mixed with any article, so that the degree of strength cannot be ascertained by Sykes' Hydrometer, per gal., 10s.: per- fumed, spirits, 7s.; wine containing moiethan 25 per cent, of alcohol, of a specific gravity of i825, at the temperature of 00 degrees of Fahrenheit's thermometer, for every gallon, inpioportion to strength, 10s. Wine not containing more than 25 per cent, of alcohol, of a specific gravity of S825, at the temperature of 00 degrees of Fahrenheit's thermometer, per gal., 2s.; Ale, porter, and beer, of all sorts, in wood, per gal., Id.; in bottle, per doz., 2d. Tea, per lo., 3d. Sugar: refined and candy, per cwt., 6s. 8d.; unrefined, per cwt., 5s. Treacle and molasses, per cwt., 3s. 4d. Coffee and chicory, per lb., 2d. Cigars, per lb., 3s. Tobacco and snuff, per lb., 2s. Opium, 10s. per lb. Export Duty: gold, per oz., 2s. 6d. COUNTRY DISTRICTS.* Alburt.—Albury is situated on the right bank of the Murray where the river is crossed by the great Southern Road; it is 378 miles from Sydney, and 200 miles from Melbourne. Other distances are 140 miles from Deniliquin, 120 from Gundagai, 80 from Wagga • A large proportion of this information is copied from Waugh's Austra- lian Almanac for 1858. K 2 186 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Wagga, and 28 from Beechworth. By the course of the Murray it is about 300 miles from its source, and about 1800 miles from" its debouchure in Lake Alexandrina; the respective travelling dis- tances being 140 and 700. The first settlement was made here about eighteen years since, but the place made no progress until within the last nine years. The district is scarcely exceeded in fertility and beauty by any tract of country in Australia. The production of wheat and other cereals is rapidly increasing, and now amounts to about 50,000 bushels. There are many flourishing vineyards and beautiful gardens, where, owing to the great mildness of the climate, many tropical plants can be cultivated, Albury being about 700 feet above the sea level. Of the geology of the district but little can be said, it being but little different from the neighboring dis- tricts. The rocks are all of the old formations, granite, and the varous kinds of slate, the latter intersected with immense dykes of quartz. The country is everywhere more or less auriferous. Population, 2,015. Persons travelling from Victoria to the Adelong diggings take coach to Beechworth, thence to Albury. Armidalk.—The town is situated on the squatting district of New England, County Sandon, and embraces the southern portion of that county, and the western portions of the counties of Vernon and Uawes. Post Offices in the district, at Armidale, Walcha, Clerk - ness, Falconer, Bendemeer, Uralla, and Rocky Riv er. Population, 3895. Balranald.—Police district of the Lower Darling, on the Murray River. Population, 694. Bathurst.—This Police district is situated in the county of the same name. Since the discovery of gold in the neighborhood it has risen rapidly in importance. The district includes Avisford, Sofala and western gold-fields, Stonev Creek, and Tambaroora. There are three churches: Episcopalian, Rev. Wm Coombes; Roman Catholic, Rev. D. McGuire; and Presbyterian, Rev. Alexander McEwan. Population, 12,005. About 100 miles from Sydney. Bkrrima.—This district embraces the south western portion of the county of Cook, being bounded on the north by Bargo; south, Wingelo Creek; west, Wollondilly River; east, Coast range; and contains about 2,300 square miles, of which the average cultivation is 3,50S acres. Population, 2,227. Binalong.—This police district, as amended, embraces the north eastern portion of the Lachlan squatting district, and a south west portion of the county of King. Population, 1884. Bombala.—This police district embraces parts of the counties of Wellesley and Wallace. Population, 1,273. Braidwood.—This police district embraces the south western portion of the county of St. Vincent, and the eastern portion of the county of Murray. The Araluen gold fields are included within its limits. In extent it embraces an area of 1,400 square miles or 90,000 acres, of which 2,227 by the last report were under cultiva- tion. The five gold-fields of this district, viz.: Araluen. Little River, or Mongarlow, Bell's Creek, Bell's Paddock, and Major's Creek, are comprehended in the police district of Braidwood. Population, 3,045. Brisbane.—One of the townships in Moreton Bay, called North and South Brisbanes, fourteen miles from the month of the Brisbane River, and thirty-five miles from Ipswich. Population, 5,844. NEW SOUTH WALES. 189 dish), but the fact has not excited any desire on the part of the inhabitants for search, and has consequently not led to the dis- covery of a payable gold-field. Population, 966. Hartley.—The police district of Hartley contains an area of about 2,050 square miles, of which upwar is of 3,000 acres are gene- rally under cultivation. Population, 2,273. Hunter Riveb.—Commences at Newcastle and extends beyond Maitland, and is one of the oldest and finest agricultural districts, also for vine cultivation. Illawara.—Between Botany Bay and Shoalhaven. A fertile and beautiful district, supplying fruit and agricultural produce to Sydney. The traffic is carried on via Wollongong. Ipswich.—In the Moreton Bay district, embracing parts of the counties of Canning, Stanley, and Ward. Population, 4,558. Kiama.—This district forms a portion of the counties of East Camden, bounded on the north by the Macquarie or Terry's River, south by the Crooked River, east by the sea, and west by the Illawarra Range. Population, 3,883. Lkichhardt.—Population, 328. M'Donald River.—This district comprises the south-west por- tion of the county of Northumberland, and part of the south portion of the Hunter. Its extent in square miles cannot well be ascer- tained, but the land generally under cultivation may.be estimated at 2,000 acres. There are no resident magistrates in the district, but James Wrigg Dalyell, P.M., Wollombi, attends on the second Tuesday of every alternate month. Population, 723. M'Leay River.—This district is bounded on the north by the range of mountains south of the Clarence River, and on the south by the range that divides the waters of the M'Leay and Hastings. Its area cannot well be determined, but there are about 2,000 acres generally under cultivation. Population, 962. Maitland.—This important township is situate on the Hunter River, about three miles from Morpoth and six from Raymond Terrace, consisting of East and West Maitland. It is approached by steam-boats up the Hunter, and is connected with Newcastle by the Great Northern Railway, distant 20 miles. The Paterson River is in the.immediate neighbourhood and the country around is picturesque, the land being in a high state of cultivation. Popula- tion, 15,290. Maryborough.—Situated on the Mary River, Wide Bay. Popu- lation, 669. Molong.—This is an extensive district, situated in the county of Wellington, the area of which is not sufficiently known, nor yet the land under cultivation, though in the immediate vicinity of the township, it may be stated at 350 acres. Population, 1,446. Moreton Bay.—See page 193. Moulamein. In the Mumtmbidgee squatting district, bounded by the Merribal Creeks, Edwards, and Murray Rivers. Population, 299. Mudgee.—Population, 4,208. Hurrurundi.—Population, 921. Musclebrook (amalgamated with Merton).—Population, 1,028. Newcastle.—This town owes its name of importance to the coal- fields by which it is surrounded. Coal is supplied from the New- 190 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. castle pits to the various colonies. About 90 miles to the north of Sydney. Population, 4,530. Orange.—This district is in the county of Wellington, and con- tains about 600 square miles. The township of Orange was first opened about 1848, and now contains a large number of valuable buildings. The district is known to be full of valuable minerals, par- ticularly copper, and much gold; and is also a fine agricultural district. Population, 2,041. Parramatta.—Connected with Sydney by the Great Southern Railway, distant about 14 miles. Is considered the second town in New South Wales, but possesses no advantages to make it im- portant, the land being low and barren. Visitors from Sydney, per sailing or steam-boat on the Parramatta River, constantly avail themselves of a trip to this neighbourhood. Population, 15,758. Paterson.—Paterson is the principal town of the county of Dur- ham. The police district embraces the midland and northern por- tion of the county, and contains a population of 1,227 males, 1,153 females. The land generally under cultivation is somewhere about 4,700 acres. Population, 2.399. Penrith.—Population, 4,804. Port Ccbtis.—This police district extends from the Wide Bay and Burnett district on the south, northward along the sea coast, about 200 miles to Broad Sound, and is bounded on the west by the Leichardt district, at a distance from the sea varying from 50 to 100 miles. Port Curtis was first located in March, 1854. Popu- lation at last census, 287; but the new gold-fields have greatly augmented the numbers since July, 1858. Port Macquarie.—The police district of Port Macquarie em- braces nearly the whole of the county of Macquarie, and the N.E. portion of the county of Gloucester, extending over an area of nearly 10,350 square miles, of which from 2 to 3,000 acres are gene- rally under cultivation, especially in the Manning River, a place rapidly advancing as an agricultural district. Townships:—Wing- ham, Government township; Tarree, private township; Tinonee, Government township; Chaltham, private township j Cundletown, private township; a township has also been laid out on the Upper Manning, named George Town, the property of Isabella Mary Kelly. Population, 2,652. Port Stephens.—A large estuary 15 miles in length, and contracted to about a mile in breadth in the centre, into which the Rivers Karnah and Myall flow. Patrick's Plains.—See Singleton. Queanbetan.—This police district includes the greater portion of the county of Murray, and part of the counties of Cowley and Buccleugh, in the Murrumbidgee squatting district. It comprises an area of about 3,000 square miles. The cultivation is represented at 3,600 acres. Population, 2,622. Richmond.—A quiet township near Windsor, about 36 miles from Sydney. A beautiful country around, and undulating towards the Blue Mountains. Raymond Terrace.—This district comprises the southern por- tion of the county of Gloucester, north eastern portion of the county of Durham, and south eastern portion of the county of Northum- berland. In March, 1857, the number of acres under cultivation is reported as 9,427. Population, 4,007. NEW SOUTH WALES. 193 MORETON BAY. This district was discovered during an exploring expedition in December, 1823. It is about 500 miles to the northward of Sydney. Moreton Island is about nineteen miles in length, and four and a half in breadth. The bay is forty- five miles in length and twenty in breadth. The River Bris- bane flows into the bay about the middle of its western side. Steam communication is maintained between Brisbane and Ipswich, daily, and between Moreton Bay and Sydney, weekly. The climate of this district is hot during the summer months, and is never subject to extreme cold or hot winds. During the winter months it is adapted for invalids, especially those afflicted with consumption and other diseases of a wasting character. Fruits of various kinds grow luxuriantly, also maize, wheat, &c. Darling Downs are behind Moreton Bay over the mountain range, a magnificent sheep country, also accessible from the Clarence River. From Moreton Pay to Macquarie is 270 miles of coast; there are nine rivers with bar harbors, which can be entered by coasting vessels and small steamers, namely, the Brisbane, Tweed, Richmond, Clarence, Bellinger, Macleay, Hastings, Camden Haven, and the Manning. The country around Moreton Bay is an extensive squatting district, occupied by some of the first and now most wealthy settlers. The returns of sheep and cattle sold in the Sydney and other markets, from the neighborhood of Moreton Bay, nave been very extensive. The principal towns in the Moreton Bay territory are, llrisbane, Ipswich, Drayton, Warwick, Dalby, Maryborough, Oayndah, Grafton, and Gladstone. (Some particulars of many of these will be found in the alphabetical arrangement of districts.) The population of Moreton Bay to the north of the intended boundary between Moreton Bay and New South Wales is about 22,000. It is in contemplation to make the district of country of which Moreton Bay is the centre, a separate colony, with Bris- bane as its capital, but the measure has not yet been carried into effect. There is a well-appointed staff of Government officials, and departments consisting of Board of Works, Custom House, Supreme Court, Immigration Board, Survey and Land Offices, &c., under the superintendence of the Government Resident, Captain J. C. Wickham, R.N. At Brisbane there are banks connected with the Bank of New South Wales, Union Bank of Australia, Australian Joint Stock Bank and the Moreton Eay Savings Bank. At Ipswich the Bank of Australasia and Bank of New South Wales have branches. L 196 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. ships of all nations, with moderate harbor and pilotage dues; imported articles are subject to custom duties. The imports from 1st October, 1856, to 30th September, 1857, were £108,703 14s. lid. Duty free, £16,734 0s. 7d. The exports, £44,193 18s. King George's Sound is not included in this return. The receipts and expenditure of Government were as follow :—Receipts, £89,079 19s. 3d.; expenditure, £90,190 12s. l0d. The number of births and deaths during the same period were:—Births, 507; deaths, 153. The tariff, with rates of agency, tonnage, &c., are published in the Western Australian Almanac for 1858. GOVERNMENT, LAW, &c. GOVERNMENT.— Governor and Commander-in-Chief: His Excellency Artbur Edward Kenn9dy. Private Secretary: H. Wakeford. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL: His Excellency the Governor, the Hon. the Commandant, Colonial Secretary, Comptroller-General, Surveyor-General, Advocate-General, Collector of Revenue. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.—The members of the Executive Council, the Hon. W. H. Mackie, M. W. Clifton, J. W. Hardey, S. P. Phillips, E. Hamersley. Clerk of Councils: H. Wakeford, DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT.—Colonial Secretary, Hon. F. P. Barlee ; Chief Clerk, Charles Sholl; Surveyor General, Hon. J. S. Roe, Lieut. R.N. ; Assistant Surveyors, A. Hil man, F. Gregory, and R. Austin Treasurer and Collector of Revenue, Hon. A. O'G. Lefroy; Deputy- Treasurer, Albany, H. Camfleld; Collector of Customs, R. M'B. Broun 1st Clerk and Shipping Master, W. Gale; Auditor-General, W. Knight Clerk, E. L. Courthope LAW.—Commissioner of Civil Court and Chairman of Quarter Sessions, His Honor A. MocFarland; Advocate-General, Hon. Richard Birnie; Crown Solicitor, G. F. Stone; Clerk to ditto, J. Stone; Sheriff, F. D. Wittenoom ; Bailiff, John Chipper; Cleikof the Peace, Commissioner of Court of Requests, and Official Assignee of Insolvent Estates, A. H. Stone. Resident Magistrates :—Albany, H. Camfleld; Vasse, Captain J. Molloy ; York, R. G. Meares ; Bunbury, G. Eliot; Swan, S. W. Viveash; Toodyay, J. Harris ; Champion Bay, W. Burges ; Murray, D. S. Murray; Canning, Thomas Hester. Police Magistrates:—At Perth, T. N. Yule ; a Freemantle, T. Brown ; and at York, W. Cowan. MEDICAL.—Colonial Surgeon, J. Ferguson; Ass. Col. Surgeon, Free- mantle, and Health Officer, J. Shipton; Medical Attendant at Albany, — Baesjoux; ditto York, Robert Viveash ; ditto Bunbury, J. Sampson. POST OFFICE.—Postmaster-General, A. Helmich. Post Offices also at Freemantle, Guildford. Mandurah, Northam, York, Toodyay, Vasse, Bun- bury, Australind, Albany, Upper Swan, Canning, Port Gregory. Harbor Master, J. Harding: Pilot, Rottncst, W. D. Jackson; Pilot, Albany. W. Pretious. Registrar-General, C. Sholl; Acting ditto, and Immigration Officer, A. Durlacher. Gaoler at Perth, T. Farrelly; do. at Albany, W. Burrill. Superintendent of Rottnest Penal Establishment, H. Vincent. MILITARY.—Commandant Garrison Staff, Lieut. Colonel John Bruce; Staff Surgeon, G. T. Galbraith, M.D. ; Captain Palmer, commanding 12th Regiment. Deputy Commissary-General, W. F. Mends. CONVICT ESTABLISHMENT—Comptroller-General, Hon. E. Y. W. Henderson, Capt. R.E. ; Chief Clerk, J. E. Henderson; Superintendent of Establishment, T.H. Dixon ; Chaplain, Rev. Mr.Aldcrson; Roman Catholic 2')2 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. 8000; and Otago, 5000. The greater portion of cultivated land—to the extent of 80,000 acres—is occupied with sown grass, and this is especially the case in Auckland. Wheat is the crop next in favor, and potatoes and oats come next. The quantity of fenced land is not fully stated, hut it would not seem to be double the cultivated area, except in Canterbury. The minimum price of land in the Province of Canterbury is £2 per acre, in the other provinces, 10s. per acre. The evils of six different land systems, of six sets of land regulations, in a couple of little islands barely large enough to form one good colony, will be apparent to any one who has ever studied the science of colonisation. Each province has made its own regu- lations both as to the lease and the sale of land, and the Canter- bury government has set the highest price on its land and pas- turage. But then, as compensation, very secure and equitable conditions of tenure are granted to the squatters. Under these regulations the waste lands are being rapidly occupied with sheep, thus showing that even a high rental is no discourage- ment to squatting, provided that arbitrary taxation is re- nounced, and a fixity of tenure is granted that will enable the settler to calculate his probable outlay and returns. The revenue of the colony for 'he year 1858 was £149,820; in 1854, £292,040; in 1855, £175,895; and in 1856, £188,326. The revenue for 1857 was considerably larger than 1856, for 1858 it amounted to nearly £400,000. The great increase in the second of these years was owing to a sudden expansion of the territorial revenue in consequence of the reduction in the price of land. The land sales yielded that year more than double the usual amount. But speculation having gorged itself, the land revenue fell off again in the two succeeding years to about the same amount as prior to the disturbance in price. In the year of speculation the land sales yielded £180,000. At ten shillings an acre this will represent 360,000 acres as having been then alienated from the Crown. (Further particulars are noted under the heads of the respective provinces.) CATTLE, SHEEP, &c. It is presumed that the settlements on the Middle Island are increasing most rapidly in population; and so with regard to live stock. In 1856, Auckland had only 2,894 horses, 24,555 head of horned cattle, and 36,749 sheep. Wellington had in the same year 2,000 horses, 20,000 head of cattle, and 250,000 sheep. Nel- son: 1,637 horses 13,893 head of cattle, and 285,100 sheep. Can- terbury: 1,307 horses, 15,355 head of cattle, and 276,089 sheep. Otago: 1,076 horses, 15,600 head of cattle, and 129,902 sheep. And New Plymouth, 329 horses, 2,525 head of cattle, and 13,148 sheep. These figures only represent the quantity of stock belonging to Europeans, no returns having been made of those in the possession of aboriginal natives, The number of 204 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. In 1853 the clip (estimated at between £8000 and £9000) from Canterbury was sent coastwise to Wellington for final shipment: the first wool shipment to England from Lyttelton direct sailed in 1856. Nelson also appears at a disadvantage, as compared with Wellington, from a similar circumstance; since, while the amount of wool sent from Nelson in 1856 was estimated at 800,000 lbs., and valued at £45,000, the return only credits the province for £15,000 worth shipped from the port of Nelson, "excluding considerable quantities shipped at other outlets of the province, and cleared at other ports of the colony"—we believe Wellington chiefly, but some at Canterbury. The totals of vessels entered inwards for Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury, Otago, and the Chatham Islands, were in 1853, 238; 1854, 293; 1855, 378; 1856, 326; or an aggregate total for the four years of 1,236 vessels. The returns of tonnage for the same period show the fol- lowing general totals, viz.: in 1853, 65,504; 1854, 74,831: 1855,88,614; 1856,85,748; or for the four years, a total ton- nage for the colony of 313,697, of which the Auckland total amounts to 186,261, or 58,825 tons, more than half the total tonnage of the entire colonies for these four years. The customs revenue at the several ports during the first quarter of 1857, amounted to f 31,531 lis. 8d.; while the second quarter, ending June 30, was £34,203 16s. Id. We much regret that later returns were not obtainable by us for this work. POPULATION. Compared with its area, or compared with the other colonies on the main land, New Zealand has but a handful of people. At the close of 1856 the total European population was as follows:—Auckland, 15,335; New Plymouth, 2,488; Welling- ton, 10,252; Nelson, 7,509; Canterbury, 6,160; and Otago, 8,796. This number, exclusive of the military and their fami- lies, was only 45,540, the males being in excess of the females by about 5000, which is less than half the population of Tas- mania or South Australia, and only about one-tenth of that of Victoria. It is scattered, too, over six separate provinces, the provinces being again subdivided into little settlements; for there are no fewer altogether than sixteen ports of entry, or an average of one port for less than every three thousand souls. This want of concentration has hitherto been a great drawback to the prosperity of New Zealand, both politically and com- mercially, and has been one of the aggravations of its early struggles. But, in years to come, as each province grows in independent strength, the vigorous assertion of local and municipal rights may be found to have wrought out social results sufficiently valuable to compensate for the incon- NEW ZEALAND. 205 venience of earlier days. The political development of New Zealand, determined as it must be to some extent by its geographical peculiarities, will assuredly differ from that of the colonies on the mainland, where there is such an enormous and unhealthy aggregation of population and wealth in the chief seats of Government and trade. The several provinces rank as follows in the order of their populousness:—Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury, Otago and New Plymouth, the first two having between them rather more than half of the whole number. The population has shown a steady increase, and a balance in its favor from Australia, notwithstanding the strong attrac- tions of the gold-fields in Victoria, which drew away many who were not attached to the soil. A slight return current was caused by the reduction which was effected in the price of land. This tempting bait enticed away a few from the colonies where land was sold by auction at a pound an acre, to that where it could be had for five or ten shillings. But the attraction proved less powerful and less permanent than had been anticipated. Fewer emigrants were decoyed over than had been hoped for, and even of those, many returned again. The result of the experiment on the whole, has been to show that the effect of cheapening the land has rather been to stimulate speculation, and an investment of capital unproductive for the present, than to promote exten- sively actual occupation and tillage. A more reliable source of supply of population will be the direct immigration from Great Britain, which is still being carried out. Immigrants from the mother country, who can obtain good wages from the time of their landing, and who can easily secure little freeholds in which to invest their savings, seldom roam. And New Zealand possesses many special attractions well adapted to retain the industrious settler in his own homestead, not- withstanding the golden rumours that may come from other places. MISCELLANEOUS. To the north of the East Cape, the sea-breeze is invariably from the north, and sets in about ten o'clock, preceded by a calm, the sky being clear, with every indication of heat. It gradually dies away towards sunset. Should this breeze continue with strength after sunset, and the sky become cloudy, a smart gale may be expected, accompanied with heavy rain, for ten or fifteen hours, when the wind will sud- denly shift to the westward, and the weather become fine. The wind at north, weather cloudy, will usually terminate in a gale, accompanied with rain, though of short duration. The wind at north-west generally strong, with heavy rain, seldom exceeding a day. The wind at west, weather unsettled, squally, with showers. The wind from north-north east to 208 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Hartley, J. A. Gilfillan, John Salmon, W. Swainson, and F. Whitaker, for Auckland. Charles R. Blakiston and H. J. Tancred, for Canterbury John Johnston and Henry Petre, for Wellington. J. Curling, for Napier. Sir 8. O. Glbbes, Bart., for Wangarei. W. H. Kenny, for Ouchunga. John H. Harris and James Menzies, for Otago. G. Cutfield, for New Plymouth. M. Richmond and H. Seymour, for Nelson. Speaker: T. H. Bartley. Clerk : J. J. Piercy. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.—Aucklanb.—His Honor John Williamson, T. M. Haultatn, W. Brodie, H. Carleton, T. Beckham, J. J. Symonds, T. S. Forsaith, W. C. Daldy, T. Henderson, W. Lee, R. Graham, and F. W. Merriman. Wellington—W. Fox, S. Clifford, J. E. Feather- stone, W. B. Rhodes, W. Fitzherbert, A. Renell, A. M. B. Brandon, J. Ferguson. New Plymouth—The Hon. C. W. Richmond, C. Brown, A. W. East. Nblbon— A. Domett, F. A. Weld, J. Curtis, W. T. L. Travers, Or. Monro. Canterbury—His Honor J. S. Moorhouse, J. S. Ollivier, Croabie Ward, J. Hall, R. Packer. Otago—Hs Honor Captain Cargill, J. Macan- drew ; one vacant. Speaker: Charles Clifford. Chairman of Committees: Hugh Carleton. Clerk: F. E. Campbell. LAW.—Chief Justice; His Honor George Alfred Arney. Acting Puisne Judge, southern district: H. B. Gresson. There are seren acting Barristers and fifteen Attorneys in Auckland. CUSTOMS.—Collector and Comptroller of Customs and Navigation Laws and Registrar of Shipping: William Young. Sub-Collectors: T. Bateman, Russell; W. B. White, Mongonui; H. R. Aubrey, Wangarei and Kaipara; G. M. Mitford, Kawhia. RESIDENT MAGISTRATES.—Auckland: Thomas Beckham. Ho wick: T. M. Haultain. Onehunga: J. J. Symonds. Russell: James Reddy Clendon. Mongonui: W. B. White. Wangarei and Kaipara: H. R. Aubrey. Whaingaroa: W. Harsant. Waikato; F. D. Fen ton. Turanga: H. S. Wardell. MILITARY.—Colonel commanding: Colonel C. E. Gold, C. B. Major of Brigade: Captain F. R. Stack, 65th Regt. Acting Aide-ds-Camp: Oapt. G. Wynyard, 58th Regt. Captain W. M. King, commanding Royal Artillery, Auckland. Lieut.-Col. Mould, commanding Royal Engineers, Auckland. Major William H. Kenny, commanding N.Z. Fencibles, One- hunga. Staff Officers: Captain T. M. Haultain, Panmure; Lieutenant J. A. Bickson, Otahuhu; Lieutenant J. J. Symonds, Onehunga. Medical Officer: Staff Surgeon, J. T. W. Bacot, Howick. COMMISSARIAT.—Ass. Com-Gen.: H. Stanley Jones; ditto, J. C. R. Wood. Storekeeper and Barrack Master: W. Plummer. MILITIA.—New Zealand Militia: Lieutenant Colonel: Major Henry Matson. TARIFF.—Ale, beer, cider, and perry, in wood, the gallon, 6d.; ale9 beer, cider, and perry, in bottle, the gallon, Is. ; cigars, and snuffs, the lb., 3s. ; coffee, chicory, and chocolate, the lb., 2d.; iron, rod, bolt, bar, hoop, and sheet, not otherwise manufactured, per cwt., Is.; salt, per cwt., Is.; spirits and strong waters, sweetened or otherwise, strength not exceeding the strength of proof by Sykes's hydrometer, and so on in proportion for any greater strength than the strength of proof, the gallon, 8s. ; sugar, raw and refined, of all kinds, and treacle and molasses, the lb., 0>d.; tea, the lb., 3d.; tobacco, the lb., Is. 3d.; wine, in wood and bottle, containing less than 25 per cent, of alcohol of a specific gravity of '825 at the tempera- ture of 60 degrees, Fahrenheit's thermometer, the gallon, 3s.; wood, of all kinds, not manufactured into furniture, the cubic foot, 2d.; boots and shoes, hats, apparel of all kinds, and all material for making apparel, jewellery, cutlery, clocks, watches, and plated ware, and all silk, woollen cotton, and linen manufactures (except com and gunny bags, and wool packs), sperm, stearine, and wax candles (measuring outside packages), the cubic foot, 3s.; all other goods, wares, and merchandise (measuring outside packages, the cubic foot, Is. ; or at the option of the principal officer of Customs at the port of entry at which the same shall be imported, the cwt .,2s. NEW ZEALAND. 209 DUTY FREE.—All articles for the supply of Her Majesty's land and sea forces ; animals, living; bricks, slates, and stones, for building purposes, and mill stones; boats; book?, printed, not being account books ; bottles full of an article subject to duty; bullion and coin; casks, empty; coal; corn, grain, meal, flour bread, and biscuit; gunpowder, fit only for blasting purposes; iron, pig; machinery, viz., brick and tile making, draining, flax, hay and wool pressing, straw and turnip cutting, reaping, thrashing, and winnowing machines, steam engines and appartus for ditto, and machinery for mills, including hand flour mills ; manure; oil, blubber, and bone, being the produce of Huh or marine animals ; plants, bulbs, trees, and seed-9; passengers' personal baggage ; ploughs and harrows ; specimens illustrative of natural history ; tobacc i for sheep wash, subject to its being rendered unfit for human consumption, and to such regulations as the Oovernor shall from time to time prescribe in ihat behalf. AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.—Superintendent: John .Williamson. Executive Council.—F. W. Merriman, J. Brennan, Henry Matson, and Daniel Pollen. Chief Clerk and Treasurer: Daniel Pollen. The Auckland Provincial Council consists of twenty-four members, repre- senting six districts, with a Speaker, W. Powditch. Land Surveyor: C. P. O'Rafferty. Road Surveyor: Allan O'Neil. Inspector: '1 nomas Russell. Law Oflicer: F. W. Merriman. Harbor Master and Pilot at Auckland: I. J. Burgess. Harbor Master at Russell: E. Bolger. Harbor Master and Pilot at Manukau: T. Wing. Pilot at Hokianga: J. Martin. Pilot at Kaipara: J. Stanaway. Registrar of Deeds: Robert Kelly. Surgeon and Health Officer: W. McGauran. Coroners: Auckland—H. J. Andrews; Wangarei—T. B. Kinderdine. Inspector of Armed Police: James Naughten. Sergeant Major: Charles Brown. Guard-room: Old Post Office, High-street. INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIETIES AT AUCKLAND.—Mechanics' In- stitute; Choral Society ; Chamber of Commerce; Auxiliary of British and Foreign Bible Society; Young Men's Christian Association; Auckland Museum; Auckland Farmers' Club; St. Andrew's Society; Hibernian Benevolent Society; Independent Order of Odd Fellows. M.U.: Fountain of Friendship Lodge, Good Intent Lodge; Order of Free and Accepted Masons: Lodge Ara, 348, under the constitution of the Grand Lodge of Ireland; Waitemata Lodge, under the English Constitution ; Land Asso- ciation, No. 2.; New Zealand Presbyterian Home Mission; United Society of St. George and St. Patrick; Union Bank of Australia; Oriental Bank; Savings Bank; Australian Mutual Provident Society; Imperial Fire In- surance Company; London and Liverpool Fire and Life Assurance Company; Unity Fire and Life Insurance Company; Northern Assurance Company; Lloyd's Agency. CHURCHES.—St. Paul's Church, Rev. J. F. Lloyd. St. Matthew's Church, Rev. D. Jones. St. Barnabas' Church, Rev. G. A. Kissling. Church of England.—Lord Bishop: G. A. Selwyn, D.D. Archdeacon: Veu. William Williams, B.A. Canterbury—Bishop: H. C. Harper, D.D. Archdeacon: Ven. O. Matthias, M.A. Roman Catholic Church.—Auck- land.—Bishop: J. F. Pompaliar, D.D. Vicar-Gen.: Very Rev. J. M'Donald. St. Patrick's Church (Roman Catholic). Presbyterian Church, Rev. D. Bruce. Wesleyan Chapels. Primitive Methodist Chapel, Rev. R. Ward. Independent Chapel, Rev. A. Macdonald, Second Independent ditto, Rev. T. Hamer. Baptist Congregation, Rev. James Thornton. Jewish Synagogue. PUBLIC SEMINARIES AND SCHOOLS.—St. John's College, Bishop's Auckland. Wesleyan College and Seminary. Church of England Grammar School. Episcopalian Day School (St. Paul's). Episcopalian Day School. Episcopalian Infant School. Roman Catholic Day School. Wesleyan Day School. Auckland Academy. Presbyterian School. There are five Ladies' Schools. NATIVE INSTITUTIONS—St. Stephen's, Judge's Bay. Three King's Wesley ans). St. Mary's College (Roman Catholic). 210 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. POST OFFICE.—Auckland.—Postmaster W. Corbett. Mails are des- BAched to the following places :—Onehunga, Otahuhu, Papakura, Wairoa, rury, Mauku Creek, Waiuku, St. John9s College, Panmure, Howick, Tu- ranga Creek, Watngaroa, Kawhia, New Plymouth, Waikato, Rangiawhia, Taupo, Napier, Poverty Bay, Coromandel, Mahurangi, Wangarei, Bay of lslands,and Mongonui. Between the Bay of Islands, Waimate, and Hokianga, Wangaroa and Monganui, miils are conveyed overland. Kates of Po-t- aos.—Inland and Intercolonial Letters,—Not exceeding 4 oz., 2d.; not exceeding 1 ox., 4d.; not exceeding 1J ox., 6d.; and so on, 2d. for evei y I ox. Letters to the United Kingdom.—Not exceeding i ox., 6d.; not exceeding 1 ox., Is. ; not exceeding 2 ox., 2s. ; and so on, Is. for every ox. Letters for transmission through the United Kingdom to British Colonies and Foreign Countries, are liable to various additional Rates, tables of which ma> be -een at every Post Office: thus, on a letter for Canada or the United State9 of America, not exceeding i an ounce, the extra rate is 8d., and the total pre-payment here must be Is. 2d. In addition to all the foregoing rates Letters posted at any Country Office in the Province arc liable to pre-payment of the local post rate at 2d. per j oz. Registration of Letters,—Fee Is. The Letters must be presented one hour before the closing of the mail. PRINCIPAL PLACES IN NEW ZEALAND.—Auckland; Aotea; Aksroa; Bay of Islands, Motu Mea Islet; Bream Head; Banks Penin-ula, East Head; Bluff Harbor; Cape Maria Van Diemen, Cape Islet; Cape Brett; Cape Colville ; Cape Egmont; Cape Palliser ; Cape Foulwind; Cape Farewell; Cape Campbell; Coiomandel Harbor ; East Cape, Islet; Great Barrier, Nagle Cove; Hokianga, Flagstaff; Kaipara, North Head; Kawhia ; Kapiti, Mahew Islet; Kaikora Peninsular, East Head ; Lyttleton, Port Cooper; Mount Egmont (8,270 feet); Mongonui, White's Point; Mount Cook (13,200 feet); Mercury Bay; Manukau Harb r, North Head; Massacre Bay, Motupipi; Molj neux Bay, Landing Place ; North Cape, Cape Islet; New Plymouth; Nelson ; Otago, Tairoa Head; Poverty Bay ; Point Rodney; Pigeon Bay; Port Napier; Port Hardy ; Port Gore; Port Un- derwood; Port Pegasus; Queen Charlotte's Sound, Motuera Island ; South Cape ; Three Kings, N. E. extreme ; Tauranga, Bay of Plenty; Tory Chan- nel, White Rocks; Wangaroa, Peach Island; Waikato Heads; Wangarei Harbor, Lord's Point; Whaingaroa, West Coast; Wanganui; Wellington. Pipitea Point. WELLINGTON. Wellington is in latitude 41° 16' 40" south, longitude 174° 47' 53" east. High-water full and change, 10 hours 20 mi- nutes; rise, 8 feet at springs. The province of Wellington comprises all that portion of the Northern Island of New Zealand which extends from the 39th degree of south latitude; bounded on the north by the province of Auckland, on the south by the sea, on the east by the sea, and on the west by the province of New Plymouth to the mouth of the rive Patea; contains 9,728,000 acres, 2,446,000 of which were on the 13th November, 1857, declared open for selection and purchase. This was the first settlement in New Zealand, having been founded in January, 1840. The harbor of Port Nicholson is very fine, and the most central in New Zealand. Its advan- tageous position in reference to the other settlements of the colony is apparent on a glance at the map. The subsidiary settlements of Wanganui and Ahuriri are within this province. NEW ZEALAND. 211 The population of Europeans is about 11,000, and the town- ship of Wellington has about 3,700 inhabitants. fclight shocks of earthquake are felt more or less throughout the whole of the southern and eastern part of the north island of New Zealand; they are generally scarcely percep- tible, but there have been two experienced in Wellington in a greater degree than elsewhere. Wellington is perhaps more generally known as having been the principal seat of the late New Zealand Company's opera- tions in their colonizing efforts; it now constitutes one of the six provinces into which the New Zealand Islands are divided. Its geographical position and other natural advantages mark its commercial and political importance, which viewed in connexion with the increasing population of the southern provinces, the development of their vast resources, and the reasonable doubt as to the place which Wellington must eventually occupy in relation to the islands generally. The prospects of the province are now denned; with an extensive back country, gradually advancing in importance by the location of enterprising settlers, all that would appear to be required to shew its capabilities is a steady influx of popu- lation, accompanied by a due proportion of capital. The colonists are in the enjoyment of institutions which enable them to m anage their own public affairs. The extremities of the province are brought together by regular steam and other communication, and a considerable coasting trade has been established. Farms and sheep stations are studding the country; inland towns are now being formed; three have already been esta- blished in the valley of the Wairarapa, others on the east coast, and arrangements are being made in available situations in other directions, to concentrate and locate a portion of the population. Inland communication has been so far provided for by means of admirably constructed roads, as to enable vehicles of all descriptions to traverse at least seventy miles towards and through the Wairarapa Valley; and on the Great North- Western-road, no impediment exists between Wellington and Wanganui, a distance of 120 miles, passing through the fertile districts of Manawatu, Rangitikei, and Turakina. Wool and other productions are frequently forwarded by these lines. The importance of these public improvements is besides mate- rially felt in their influence upon trade, not only by opening up the country and offering inducements to settlement, but by the increased demand for articles of daily consumption. Many circumstances contributed in the infancy of this settlement to aid the fluctuations both in the import and export trade of the Port of Wellington, arising principally from the undecided occupations of the inhabitants, and the influence of the settlers, leave no 212 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. uncertain state of the land question, which operated powerfully in retarding the development of the resources of the country, by obstructing the tide of immigration, and otherwise checking the employment of capital and labor; and it was only by the removal of this difficulty that a feeling of con- fidence sprang up, the foundation of a permanent and increasing demand for British manufactures was established, and the real productive power of the province began to exhibit itself. The varied nature of the exports is an encouraging feature in the progress of the trade of Wellington. The fisheries once so productive, and constituted, in the first years of the coloni- sation of this part of New Zealand, the chief source of wealth, realizing in 1844 and 1846 an export valued at £18,000 and £17,000 respectively, have been almost abandoned. The timber trade is a source from which much should be expected, as it only requires an extended application of machinery to establish itself. These, with the staple article of wool, amounting in value as an export in 1857 to £70,00O, and rapidly increasing in quantity, together with the general provision trade, valued in 1854, at £28,463, will no doubt for some years constitute the chief exports of themselves sufficient to make Wellington a commercial depot in these islands. Nearly 5,' 00,000 acres of land have been purchased from the natives in this province, of which, in round numbers, 4,000,000 acres are open for sale. The sales of land for 1857 amounted to £63,734. It is expected that the Manawatu district, which contains several hundred thousand acres of the richest agri- cultural land, will be thrown open for settlement in the course of a few months. The Committee of the Chamber of Commerce at Wellington, at the annual meeting, held July 28, 1858, issued a report (from which some of the above facts have been taken), containing statements under the following heads:—Steam Postal Service, Customs, Tariffs, Light-houses, Insolvency Laws, Joint Stock Companies, Arbitration, Post Office, Supreme Court, Banking Establishments, Finances, Statistical Returns, &c. The subjects are each treated at length, and give evident proof of the progress of this province. A Lighthouse is in course of erection at the entrance of Wellington Harbor; the light will be visible at a distance of twenty-five miles, and will render the harbor accessible at all hours. Vessels going down to Wanganui will find a good anchorage under the Island Kapiti, S.S.W.55 miles from Wanganui, and should lay there with S.W. or westerly weather, as it is only a few hours run from Kapiti, with easterly winds, which are fair for taking the bar. PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.—Superintendent: J. E. Featherstono. Provincial Sec.: W. tSitzherbert. Treasurer: J. Woodward. Solicitor: Ada NEW ZEALAND. 213 Batte Brandon. Executive consists of: Secretary, Treasurer and Solicitor, and two unofficial members, W. Fox, and Hon, John Johnston. Speaker of Provincial Council: A. Ludlam. Haroor Master: W. Leslie. Pilot (Wellington): J. Davis. Wanganui : W. Aberneathy. Napier: W. Murray. Resident Magistrate (Wellington): H. S. Hill, Wanganui, D. S. Dune; Napi.er, John Curling. Principal Postmaster: J. F. Hoggard. Collector: S. .Carkeek. Judge of the Supreme Court: W. Johnston. Chief Commissioner of Waste Land: W. Fox. Principal Surveyor: R. Park. CHURCHES.—Church of England: Bishop Designate: The Ven. Arch- deacon C. J. Abraham, D.D. Archdeacons: The Ven. O. Hadfield and W. Williams. Bishop's Commissary for the Province: Rev. J. A. Baker, M.A. Clergymen: Revs. W. Coleuso, J. Hamlin, T. B. Hutton, H. W. St. HilL C. H. S. Nicholls, W. Ronaldson, A. Stock, R. Taylor, Riwai Te Atu (native), E. Wheeler, S. Williams. Roman Catholic: Right Rev, Bishop Viard. Very Bevs. J. I. P. O'Reilly and J. Forest, V.G. Revs. J. B. Pititjean, J. Lampilla, S. Pezant, E. Reigner and J. Seon. Church of Scotland: Rev. W. Korton. Free Church of Scotland: Revs. John Moir and J. Thorn. Presbyterian Church: Rev. D. Hogg and James Duncan. Wesleyan: Revs. James Buller, J. Innis, W. Kirk, W. Woon. Inde- pendent: Rev. J. Woodward. Primitve Methodist: Rev. J. Sunth. Hebrew Congregation: Rev. J. E. Myers. MILITARY.—Major of Brigade : Major N. J. Coote. Lieutenant-Colonel Patience in command at Wanganui, and Lieutenant-Colonel Wyatt in command at Napier (Ahuriri). Dep-Assistant Com-Gener.il: A. F. Adams. Dep.-Storekeeper War Department: J. O. Namley. Resident Engineer, Royal Engineer Department: Capt. V. T. Mairis. TARANAKI OR NEW PLYMOUTH. The district of Taranaki, which occupies the country around Mount Egmont, has been highly spoken of for the fertility of its soil, the serenity of its climate, or the extent of land avail- able for agricultural purposes. The produce of this part of New Zealand has been very extensive, considering that the European population does not reach 3,500. The anchorage for vessels is indifferent, which is a great drawback to the progress of the district. Considerable quantities of produce have been forwarded to other parts of New Zealand, showing that New Plymouth possesses larger productive powers than any of her neighbors, and was the first to feed itself. When the native and land questions are settled, and the country really opened for settlement, this province will be highly attractive. The distance from Auckland is about 130 miles NELSON. This province comprises all that part of the Middle Island which lies between Cook's Strait on the North, and the Mawera or Grey, in latitude 43 degrees 21 minutes south, and Huranui rivers on the south, and contains 18,< 00,000 acres of land. Along the western portion of the northern boundary of the province formed by Cook's Straits, is Massacre Bay, containing about 60,000 acres of fertile alluvial land. Rivers and creeks abound. The population of Nelson amounts to about 7,000. NEW ZEALAND. 215 Treasurer and Resident Magistrate, John Poynter. Speaker of the Pro- vincial Council: John Wallis Barnicoat. Sheriff and Postmaster: Ben- jamin Walmsley. Resident Magistrate, Collingwood: H. G. Gouland. Resident Magistrate, Wairau: S. L. Muller. Chief Surveyor: T. Brunner. Collector of Customs, Nelson: D. Rough. Sub-Collector, Collingwood: 3D. Johnston. Coroner: J03. F. Wilson. Clerk to Provisional Council: George White. Registrar of Supreme Court: John Sharp. Harbor Mas- ter and Pilot: J. S. Cross, Judge of Supreme Court: R. B. Gregson. CHURCHES.—Church of England : Revs. R. B. Paul (archdeacon), H. F. Butt, J. C Bagshaw (Head Master of Nelson College), T. L. Tudor, R. J. Uoyd, and T. Bowden. Presbyterian: Revs. T. D. Nicholson and P. Cal- der. Wesleyan: Revs. J. Warren and J. Watkin. Baptist: Revs. D. Dolomoreand E.Thomas. Roman Catholic: Revs. A. M. Garin and D. Moreau. SOCIETIES.—Literary, Nelson School, Horticultural, Musical, and Total Abstinence Societies, Chamber of Commerce. Chess, Turf, and Jockey Clubs. Cook's Straits Mining and Nelson Mining Companies. Nelson Coast Steam Navigation Company. Odd Fellows, M.U., four lodges; and Freemasons, one lodge. MISCELLANEOUS.—There are several flourmills, saw mills, malthouses, and breweries. The Nelson Examiner is published twice a week. Tha Colonist is also published twice a week Hotels are numerous in Nelson, also in Motueka, Waitnea, Richmond, Wakapuwaka, and Stoke. CANTERBURY. The province of Canterbury occupies the centre of the middle island; it is bounded on the north by the province of Nelson, and on the south by that of Otago; and lies between the parallels 43° and 45° of south latitude. It contains about 12,000,000 acres, of which about 3,000,000, on the east side of a dividing range of snowy mountains, are known to be available land. The country on the west side of the Snowy Mountains has not yet been explored. Of the district on the east side of the mountains, about two- thirds are level, and the remainder, hills of moderate elevation. The whole is admirably adapted for grazing sheep and cattle, being mostly covered with good native grasses; and there is a margin of fine arable land along its seaboard. Banks' Peninsula, which juts out from the middle of the east coast, is a volcanic mountainous district, in a great measure covered with wood. There are four good ship harbors in Banks' Peninsula—Port Victoria, Akaroa, Pigeon Bay and Port Levi. The climate is healthy, and well suited to Englishmen. The prevailing wind is the sea-breeze from the north-east; a fine cool, wholesome wind. In the spring and summer, there are sometimes strong winds from the north-west, which resemble, on a small scale, the hot winds of Australia. The winter extends from the middle of May to the middle of August The natives in the province consist of a scattered remnant of former tribes, in number about 300 souls, who live for the most part in villages near the coast. 21G HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. There are no native wild animals, or noxious reptiles of any kind. The dogs, cats, rats and pigs, which are found in a wild state, were left there by Captain Cook, or have escaped from the settlements. The only objects of sport are wild duck of various kinds, wood pigeons, and quail, of which there are great numbers. Canterbury was originally promoted by members of the Church of England, and organised under the patronage of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, for the purpose of making the experiment of founding a Church of England settlement. Only members of that church were invited to join the enterprise, and all the arrangements were made upon strict Church principles. It was, however, found impracticable, and the province is now governed upon the same principle as the colony at large. The first body of colonists arrived in December, 1850. With the exception of a survey of the country, some barracks for the immigrants, and a few nouses at Lyttelton, they found that but little preparation had been made for them. Owing, however, to the natural advantages of the country, and the stream of emigration, the colony steadily advanced. Capital, accompanied by a proportion of labor, poured in; and, simul- taneously large importations of sheep, cattle and horses, arrived from Australia and Tasmania. A few roads were made to open the country around Christchurch, and the settlers set to work to build, fence and plough. The population in 1857 was about 6000, of whom about 2000 live in the towns of Christchurch, Lyttelton, Kaiapoi, and Akaroa: upwards of 3000 in the agricultural districts; and about 700 at the sheep and cattle stations. It is covered with natural grass, and is almost entirely occupied by sheep farmers. The export of wool for the year 1858 is expected to reach two millions of pounds. The minimum price of land in this province is £2 per acre; yet it has advanced more rapidly than any other part of New Zealand. In the other provinces the minimum price of land is 10s. per acre. Lyttelton is the principal post town, and is situated on the north side of Port Victoria. There is good anchorage in five fathoms water, about five miles from the heads, and the harbor is perfectly easy of access. Lyttelton is a town of about 800 inhabitants, and contains the custom house, bank (Union Bank of Australia), principal post office, resident magistrate's court, town hall, hospital, gaol, merchants' offices, and ware- houses, and retail stores and shops. The sittings of the Supreme Court are also held there. Its population is chiefly engaged in supplying the shipping, and in carrying on the commerce of a place which pays about £20,C00 a-year in customs duties, and has an export trade rapidly increasing, and already amounting to £80,000 in value. The trade between Lyttelton and the inland country is carried on by NEW ZEALAND. 217 small sailing craft. The land communication is confined to horse-roads over the hills, which separate Port Victoria from the plains. The " Lyttelton Times" is published twice a week. Christchurch, the capital, is on the banks of the river Avon, aljout seven miles from the sea, eight from Lyttelton, and two from the river Htathcote, where steamers and small craft take in and discharge their cargoes It is a dry, healthy site, and is in the centre of the agricultural districts. Its inhabitants number nearly 1000; and the superintendent's office, provin- cial government offices, council chamber, office of the land and survey departments, registration of deeds office, post-office, bank (Union Bank of Australia), library, college, bishop's residence and principal schools are established there. It has a weekly newspaper, the " Canterbury Standard;" and a produce market is held every Saturday. Kaiapoi is about ten miles from Christchurch, on the banks and near the mouth of the river Wai Makariri (or Courtenay), up which vessels, drawing five or six feet of water, can go up as high as the town. It is the centre of a very rich agricultural district, and the shipping port of a large pastoral tract. There are upwards of 20,000 acres of fine land in its immediate neighbourhood yet unselected. Akaroa is a small town on the harbor of the same name, in Banks' Peninsula. It is rather isolated from the rest of the province, but is the resort of the whaling ships that fish off the coast. It was founded in 1840 by the French, who, however, only planted a few settlers there. The district is richly timbered, and the climate is milder than that of the plains; the vine flourishes here, and the gardens are abun- dantly stocked with all sorts of garden fruit. Timaru is a town situated on a roadstead near the southern end of the province, and is the outlet for a large pastoral district. Roads have been constructed through the agricultural districts, but elsewhere, generally speaking, the country is so dry and sound that it was unnecessary to form any road whatever. The road from the wharves, where the boats discharge and take in their cargoes to Christchurch, is an excellent metalled road. The great north road from Christchurch is now completely drained, and all the requis te ferries, bridges and culverts completed. The great south road has few natural obstructions, and drays can traverse the country in almost all directions. Several other roads are made from the capital to open up the land through the farming districts. There is an abundant supply of metal in all directions. One cause of the steady advance of the settlement has been the export of wool. There are now about three hundred thousand sheep in the province. The sheep runs average from about 10,000 to 30,000 acres in extent. The price of sheep may be quoted at about 25s. to 30s. There are M 222 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA a man well qualified to lead his countrymen in any enterprise: and so universally has he been esteemed by the colonists, that they have twice conferred upon him the highest civic honors which it is in their power to bestow. Emigration is now car- ried on by the Provincial Council through their agents in Great Britain. The grand feature of the climate of Otago is its mild and uniform temperature. The summers are as far removed from the heat of Australia as the winters are from the cold of Canada. Three causes combine to produce this uniformity, viz., the latitude, prevailing winds, length and breadth of the Middle Island, and its mountains. The latitude and longitude of New Zealand correspond to that of France and Spain, and the inhabitants of Otago are the antipodes of those who live in the south of France. The town of Dunedin is three degrees nearer the equator than Paris, yet the mean temperature of both places is nearly the same. The absence of the extremes of heat and cold appears to depend upon the size of the island, and the prevailing winds. The Middle Island is 500 miles long by 150 broad; and lying, as it does, in a slanting direc- tion across eight degrees of longitude and six degrees of latitude, the easterly and westerly gales are intercepted, and are bent to the shape of the coast, and hence north-east and south-west winds are those which prevail, and communicate to the land the equable temperature of the Pacific Ocean. It is a remarkable phenomenon, that when the wind blows from the snowy mountains (N.W.), it is always warm, and is the sure forerunner of a south wester. The N.W. wiud blows on an average one day in each month, and is sometimes accompanied by lightning. The mildness of the winter is such, that the farmer would prefer more frost to destroy the weeds; but this, again, is counterbalanced by other advantages, such as break- ing up new land when the ground is moist, and carrying on all kinds of out-door work as in summer. The provinces of Otago and Auckland being furthest re- moved from Cook's Strait, which divides the North and Middle Islands, were not affected by the earthquake that took place on the 23rd of January. 1855. These periodic shocks occur but once every seven years, and are not attended with danger to life. For the last twenty years their influence has been chiefly confined to the east corner of Cook's Strait, so that the inhabi- tants of Otago (who are 400 miles S.W. of this point) are no more affected by an earthquake in that quarter than the people of Great Britain are by an eruption of Vesuvius. There are three harbors on the east coast of the province, named respectively the Otago, the New River, and Bluff harbors. The first of thesS, which is the principal one for commerce, is that from which the province derives its name, and is about 200 miles from Canterbury. This loch or arm of the sea is fourteen miles long, and is a picture of such uncom- NEW ZEALAND. 223 mon beauty that the eye never wearies of looking on it. The hills that surround it are of every shape, densely wooded; and so luxuriant is the vegetation, that the trees never cease growing till they have dipped their branches two or three feet into the salt water. The Otago Harbor is divided by two islands into an upper and lower harbor, with sand-banks in each of them. The channel in the lower harbor resembles the letter co made the wrong way, as on its side. The tide rises six feet, and covers an area of twenty-six square miles. The tidal flow of this volume of water is through a narrow entrance a quarter of a mile broad. The current is equal to three miles an hour, which is of great service to small vessels working up against the south-west wind. The west coast and its harbors present an aspect altogether different from the eastern. There are twelve magnificent harbors on the west of the province, fit for the largest vessels in the world; indeed, it is impossible to imagine a coast line better provided with places of refuge. Beautiful as these harbors are to the eye, they are almost useless to the province from two causes. First, their great depth. Many of them are so deep that no ship's cable could reach to the bottom. The other objection is the greater of the two: the range of mountains which skirts the head of the western harbors prevents all access to the interior of the country, so far as is yet known. Mount Cook, named after one of Britain's most distinguished navigators, almost rivals the Alps of Europe in height, attaining, as it does, nearly 13,000 feet of elevation above the sea. Mount Aspiring forms a magnificent spectacle, not only owing to its great altitude, viz., 9,135 feet above the sea, but owing to its bold and sym- metrical shape of a steep cone or spire. The mountains in the vicinity of the Wanaka and Hawea Lakes are Black Peak, 7,328 feet; Pesa, 6,426 feet; and Grandview, 4,703 feet above the sea. The Wanaka Lake is 1036 feet above the same level. The Eyre Mountains rise 6,084 feet, and the Dome 4,505 feet above the sea level; Takituna, 4,998 feet; Hamilton, 4.674 feet; Lingwood, 2,602 feet; Ida, 5,498 feet; Kyeburn, 5,129 feet; Rock and Pillaux, 4,675 feet; Benmore, 6,111 feet; Totara Peak, 5,876; St. Cuthbert, 4,962 feet; Mount Cargill is 2,297 feet, and Mihinaka 1,895 feet above the level of the sea. The Provincial Council of Otago consists of nineteen mem- bers, elected by persons twenty-one years of age, who have been six months resident in the colony. The Fxecutivo Government is vested in the Superintendent and three members of Council. In the early days of the settlement, all denominations wor- shipped under the same roof. The Church of Otago was composed of members of the Free Church of Scotland; mem- bers of the l hurch of England; the Established Church of Scotland; the Lutheran Church of Sweden; English and Irish Presbyterians; Methodists; Baptists; United Presbyterians; 226 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. more than six inches in depth; and luxuriant crops of wheat have been raised from soil five inches deep. The climate of Otago is the real source of its fertility, and when the soil is exposed to its influence for six months it yields a much greater crop. Inch Clutha, Waikouaiti, and other localities, have rich soil from two to three feet deep, which yields forty-six bushels per acre, and has a growth of such strength that it is cut three feet above the ground, in order to save the threshing- mill. The heaviest timber in the colony grows upon Inch Clutha, an Island seven miles long, in the centre of the Clutha River, with fine natural scenery. The colony is suitable as well for the man of substance as for the man of small means. Estates of from 2,000 to 100,000 acres of land, rich, level, and dry- may be purchased, either for pastoral or agricultural purposes; or, if capital be invested in sheep, a depasturing license may be obtained for any number of sheep not exceeding 25,000, on payment of a deposit of £20. The applications for Runs have been far in excess of the extent of country at. present available; but as fresh country is opened up, and'.first applicants fail to stock within the time limited, parties on the spot are likely to get suited. The Merino is the 'only breed of sheep that is yet reared in Otago. They are usually imported from Sydney or Twofold Bay, and have for some years been landed at Port Chalmers. In 1856 there were 333,314 lbs. wool exported to Britain and elsewhere, the estimated value of which was £19,316. The advantages of sheep-farming are so apparent to persons of small means, that many of them invest in sheep. In 1855, there were seventy-six thousand sheep, and in 1856, one hundred and thirty thousand. For the last few years, emigration to Otago has been chiefly carried on by residents in the colony sending for their friends, but the supply has not been equal to the demand, or even to fill up the vacancies for tradesmen, shepherds, and laborers, who have become their own employers. Large sums have been spent in taking laborers from Melbourne, but along with them went purchasers of land to the extent of 10,000 acres, so that the demand for laborers, instead of being lessened, was rather increased. To remedy this state of things, the Provincial Council have voted the sum of £20,000 as a permanent fund for emigration; those availing themselves of this fund having to repay the amount of assistance they may receive from it, within a period to be agreed upon - either one, two, or three years. Five hundred persons in Great Britain have been applied for by their friends in Otago, who have given a guarantee to the Provincial Government to repay their passage-money, which is £8,000 This is one of the strongest proofs of their prosperity, for it is unreasonable to suppose that they would invite their NEW ZEALAND. 227 friends to leave home and certainty in Britain, for an uncertainty in Otago. Every man without means must, at the outset, be prepared for an extra effort; if he be unwilling for this, he is unfit for any province in New Zealand. The class of emigrants who apply for passages must produce unexceptionable certificates of moral character, and their skill must be of the kind that the settlement requires, viz., shep- herds; ploughmen; agricultural laborers, who can ditch, and fence, reap; female domestic servants and dairywomen; sawyers, and country mechanics. The area of the province is 16,000,000 acres; land sold 70,000 acres; depasture runs taken up 81 acres; extent of runs 1,000,000 acres. The population on the 31st December, 1857, according to Government returns, was as follows:—Dunedin, 890; Port Chalmers, 89; Eastern District, 592; Western District, 604; Central District, 632; Tokoniaiiiro, 518; Clutha, 174; Mil- rihiku, 147; Nathna District, 464; total, 4,631. The natives in the seven districts numbered 481. Births, Marriages and Deaths.—Number of births during 1857: males, 88; females, 91—total, 179. Marriages, 38. Deaths: males, 11; females, 10—total, 21. These returns do not include the Maories, or native population. Revenue and Expenditure.—The revenue from Crown lands for the year ending 31st December, 1857, amounted to £15,200 7s. 9d. The expenditure, £21,363 7s. 9d. Immigration and Emigration.—During the year 1857, the number of immigrants who arrived in Otago was 589; emi- grants, 220 For quarter ending March 31, 1858 :—Immi- grants, 884; emigrants, 112. From November, 1857, to May, 1858, the total number of immigrants was 1419, from Great Britain, in several vessels. Shipping.—Vessels inwards and outwards of ports out of New Zealand:—Inwards, 14; outwards, 14. Ports in New Zealand :—Inwards, 39; outwards, 32. PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.—Superintendent: W. Cargill. Clerk: J. Logan. Executive Council: J. McGlashan, W. H. Cutten, and W. C. Young. Provincial Treasurer and Solicitor: J. McGlashan. Clerk : J. A. Cheyne. Provincial Council.—Town of Dunedin: J. Kilgour, A. Rennie, W. H. Cutten, J. H. Harris, W. H. Reynolds. Eastern District: W. Mar- tin, W. C. Young, W. Lambert. Western District: G. Hepburn, J. Glashan, W. Prudie. Central District: J. Macandrew, A. J. Burns, W. Stevenson. Tokomairiro District: J. Cargill. Southern District: J. Shaw, J. Anderson. Northern District: R. Williams. Town of Port Chalmers: vacant. Speaker: J. Macandrew. Clerk: R. Chapman. Collector and Cemptroller of Customs and Navigation Laws: C. Logie. Sub-Collector and Deputy Postmaster, Bluff Harbor: A. J. Elles. Sub-Treasury and Postmaster: C. Logie. Deputy Postmaster at Port Chalmers: J. Monson. Registrar of Supreme Court, of Births, Marriages and Deaths, and Official Administrator of Intestate Estates: R. Chapman. BOARD OF ROAD TRUSTEES.—This Board is composed of the Super- intendent and Executive Council, and two representatives from the follow- ing districts:—North-east Valley, Wakari, Town, Anderson's Bay, Green 230 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRAXASA. Browning- (C. A.), The Convict Ship. Buckton (T. J.), Western Australia. Bunce (D), Austral astatic Reminiscences. Burdwoi-d (J. R. N.), Australian Directory, 1853. Hydrographic Office. Butler (S.), Handbook for Australian Emigrants. Emigrant's Handbook of Facts. Byrne (J. C), Emigrants' Guide to New South Wales, Australia Felix, and South Australia. 12 Years wanderings in the British Colonies. 2 vols. C- (W.), Practical Hints for an intending Emigrant. Campbell (W. E ), on the Crown Lands of Australia. Capper (J-), Australia as a field of Capital, Skill and Labor. Our Gold Colonies. Emigrants' Guide to Australia. Carron (W.), Exploration between Rocky Bay and Cape York. Cassel's (J.) Emigrants' Handbook. Castilla (F.), Postal Charges considered. Caswall (H.), Hints from the Journal of an Australian Squatter. Chambers' Emigrant's Manual. Australia and the Gold Diggings. Chapman (H. S.), Parliamentary Government for the Australian Colonies. Church—Bill proposed to be introduced into Legislative Council for en" ablingthe Bishop, &c., to provide for the affairs of the Church. Clacy (Mrs.), Visits to the Gold Diggings of Australia. Lights and Shadows of Australian Life. Clarke (W.), Statement respecting Discovery of Gold in Australia. Cobbold (R.), History of Margaret Catchpole. Colonial Advocate, The. Land and Emigration Commissioners' Report. Colonist, The, published by Society for the Promotion of Colonisation. Colonisation, Society for the Promotion of. Report. Cooley (W. D.), History of Maritime and Inland Discovery. 3 vols. Cooper (F.), Adventures in Australia. Croker (T. C.), Memoirs of J. T. Colt. 2 vols. Cunningham, (P.). Hints for Australian Emigrants. Dawson (R.), Present State of Australia. Delessert, (E.), Voyages dans la Nouvelle Hollande. 1847. D'Ewes (J.), Sporting in both Hemispheres. — China, Australia, and Islands of the Pacific . 1855-6. Dobson (T.), Australasian Cyclonology. Earl (G. W.), Capabilities of the North Coast of New Holland. Enterprise in Tropical Australia. Eastern Seas. 1832-4. Earp (G. B.), What we did in Australia. Eden (Hon. W.), History of New Holland. Edwards (W.), What shall we do with our Criminals? Emigrant and Colonial Gazette—a Weekly Newspaper. Emigrants' Letters—from Settlers in the British Colonies. Emigrant Family, The, or Story of an Australian Settler. 8 vols. Emigration, Hints on. Erskine (J. E.), on Discoveries of Gold in Australia. Eyre (E. J.), Journal of Discovery in Central Australia. 1840-1. 2 vols. Far off Asia and Australia, by author of " Near Home." Fauchery, Le Mineur en Australie. Female Emigration Fund, S'atement of Flinders (M.), Voyage to Terra Australis. 1801-2-3. 3 vols. Frome, Exploratory Journal to Lake Torrens. Gold Fields, Gleanings from, by an Australian Journalist. Gowen (J. R.), on Emigration to the Swan and Canning Rivers. Grey (G.), Expedition of Discovery in N. W. and W. Australia. 1837-9. 2 vols. Hale (M.B.), Transportation Question: or Why W. Australia should be made a Reformatory Colony. Hargraves (G.), Australia, its Gold Fields described. Hayes (Cath.) Sketch of, including her Tour in the Australian Colonies. LIST OF WORKS ON AUSTRALIA, 233 Tagart, (E.), Life of Capt. P. Heywood. Tegoborski, Consequences eventuelles de la Decouverte des Gites Auriferes en Californie et en Australie. Train (G. F.), American Merchant in Europe, Asia, and Australia. Ungewitter (Dr. L. H.), der Welttheil Australien. Vines (F.), The Cue to Prosperity, or Our Lands and How to get at them. —— A Glorious Fu' ure for Australia. Visit to the Antipodes, with Reminiscences of Australia. Visit to Australia and the Gold Regions. Ch. K. Society. Voyage aux Terres Australes. 187-16. 6 vols. 4to. Waghorn, on Emigration to Australia on the broadest principles. Wakefield (E. G.), View of the Art of Colonisation. Warfleia, Australia. Waithen (E.), Viage alas Tierras Australes. Madrid, 1778. 4 vols. Wells (W. H.), Gazetteer of Australia. West Australian Association Reports. Western Australia, Report on Present State of the Colony. Perth. Western Australia, Journals of several Expeditions to. 1829-32. Western Australia, with a map. Westgarth (W), Report on the Condition, Capabilities, and Prospects of the Australian Aborigines. What should Government do for Australia? Wheeler (D.), Letters and Journal; Australasia. Witsen, on New Guinea, &c., in Dutch, Migration of Mankind. „ Amst. 17- Young (R.), Wesleyan Religious Deputation to Australia. VICTOBIA. A'Beckett, (Sir W.), Judgments of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Melbourne, 1847. Magistrate's Manual. Melbourne, 1852. Out of Harness. A'Beckett (T. T.), The Gold and the Government. Defence of State Aid to Religion. Aboriginal Inhabitants of Victoria, Plea on behalf of. Adamson (T.), Acts and Ordinances in Force in Victoria. Akhurst (W. M.), Mirror of Beauty—a Burlesque Extravaganza. Aldwell(J. A.), Prize Essay of the Melbourne Labor League. Allan (J.), Contractor for Castlemaine, Letter to Legislative Council. Am Fur Ghaidical, a Gaelic Periodical. Amsinck (Lieut.), Docks and Harbor Accommodation. a Backwoodsman's Essays on Internal Communication. Archer (W. H.), Statistical Register of Victoria. Argus Libel case, Queen v. Wilson and Mackinnon. The Editor of—a Sketch reprinted from the Express. Anatomy of the Argus, by Caustic. Examined. Enquiry into the Principles of Representation. Aristides, Correspondence with Lieut. Governor respecting Aborigines. Arm Chair, The. Australia Felix, Monthly Magazine. Ballingall (J.), Shipwrecks, their Causes and Means of Prevention. Bank, The People's, Prospectus of. Becker (L.), The Men of Victoria. Best (A. T.), Essay on the Eight Hours' Question. Blandowski (W. von), Personal Observations in Victoria. Bounty Immigration, Letter to the Legislative Council, &c. Bonwick (J.), Discovery of Port Phillip. Q34 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. Bon wick (J.), Notes of a Gold Digger. W. Buckley and his Port Phillip Black Friends. Early Du s of Melbourne. Brough (Rev. G. H.), Address to Members of the Church of England. Cairns (Dr. A.), Dangers and Duties of Young Men of Victoria. '. New YearSs Sermon. Death of Sir Charles Hotham. Inauguration of Political Independence of Victoria. Church and State. Campbell (C.), Remarks on National Education. Carr (J. E.), Lecture on the New Constitution. Chinese Question, The, Analysed. By one who knows them. Church of England Reord. Diocese of Melbourne. Civil Engineers, Victorian Institution of—Proposed Bye Laws. Clarke (A.), Raw Gold and Sovereigns—Free Trade in Money. Clutterbuck (J. B.), Port Phillip in 1849. Collingwood East, Repnrts of Municipal Council of. Colonial Gems, or the Ninety. By a Gumleaf. Colonial Reform Association, Rules, &c., of the. Co-operative Freehold Land Investment Society, Rules and Report. Corbett (F. A.), Railway Economy in Victoria. Coster (F.), Land System for Victoria. Council, Legislative, Catalogue of Library of the. County Courts Act. Davitt (A.), Origin and Progress of the National System of Education. Dobie (W.) Vifit to Port Phillip9 Electors, Handbook for. Electors of Victoria, Letter to, on State Education. By a Schoolmaster. Exhibition, Melbourne, 1854. Paris, 1855. Instructions for Committee. Farm Society, Evangelistic. Temperance and Educational. Fawkner (J. P.), Proposed Marriage Act. 1857. Fellows (T. H.), Common Law Practice Act. Melbourne, 1856. Fellows (T. H.), The New Constitution of Victoria. Financial System. Addressed to the People of Victoria. Foster (J. F. L.), The New Colony of Victoria. Speech on Immigration. Three Letters to Hon. J. F. Palmer. Fourth Letter to do. Free Church, The. Narrative. Geelong, Water Supply to. Report of Committee of Harbor Trust. - Historic Sketch of Christ Church, Geelong. Gipps Land. Progre s of Discovery in. Glass (C. E.), Miner's Companion. Road Guide to the Gold Fields. Gold Digger's Magazine. Gold in Victoria, oy Colonus. Gold Era of Victoria, by a Melbourne Merchant. Gregory (J. H.), Letter on Church Music. Griffith (C.), Present State of fort Phillip District. on Water Supply of Melbourne. Hamon (A.), Can all the Gold be extracted from the Quartz? Harris (H.), The Chinese in Victoria. Haydon (G. H.), Five Years' Experience in Australia Felix. The Australian Emigrant. Hearn, (Prof.), The Primary School. Hellicar (V.), Coin and Currency. Hippocrates at Abdera, dedicated to C. J. Latrobe. Hovell and Humes' Statement of Facts connected with Overland Expedi- tion to Port PhilUip. 1824-5. Edited by Rev. W. Ross. How the Money goes, or the State Aid Question examined. Howitt, (W.), Land, Labor, and Gold, or Two Years in Victoria. 2 vols. Tatlangetta, the Squatter's Home. 2 vols. Hughes Wharf, Correspondence between Government and W. Hughes. Hughes (D. A.), Statement of Facts respecting Wharf Premises. LIST OF WORKS ON AUSTRALIA. 235 Just (P.), Employment of Painting and Sculpture. Kentish (N. L.), Proposals for establishing, in Melbourne, a Victoria Sheep and Cattle Assurance Company. Question of Questions. Making Food Cheap, &c. Treatise on Penal Discipline. Valedictory Letter on leaving Melbourne. Kerr's Melbourne Almanack and Port Phillip Directory. Land and Labor in Victoria, by an old Colonist. Land Question, a new Idea on. A Letter to C. J. LaTrobe. Lang (J. D.), Condition and Prospects of Port Phillip. (G. D.) and F. L. Drake, Abstract of Evidence in Trial of. Laughing a Crime, or £20 no Comedy. By a Gold Digger. Law Reform, Report of Meeting at Geelong on. Lindsay (H. L.), Industrial Resources of Victoria. Lucas (H.), Journal of a Voyage from London to Port Phillip. McCombie (T.), History of Victoria. Macardy(J.), Money, Where shall I Deposit it? MacEachern, (J.), The Dynasty of La Trobe and Foster Illustrated. Manifesto of the Democratic League. Madison (J. W.), Victorian Prophecy of the End of the World. Martin (J.) and G. Milsted, Correct Report of the Case of the Trustees of Hodge v. Jamieson. Melbourne Directory, The. Bradshaw. . -. . Benevolent Asylum Annual Reports. - — Chamber of Commerce, Reports of. ——— Report on Promotion of Agriculture. Hospital, Annual Report. —S• Ladies' Benevolent Society, Reports. Union Benefit Society, Articles, &c. Public Library, Catalogue of. Mechanics' Institution, Reports. and East Bourke, Horse and Cattle Stealing Prevention Society, Rules, &c. Letter to the Citizens of, by a Fellow Citizen. — Orphan Asylum, Reports. Exhibition in connexion with Paris Exhibition, Catalogue. — Monthly Magazine. and Collingwood City Mission Reports. Gas and Coke Company, Deed of Settlement of. Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, Rules, &c. — ■ .— Church of England Society, Reports. Morgan, Life and Adventures of W. Buckley in Victoria. Mossman (S.), Railways in Victoria. Murray (R. D.), Summer at Port Phillip. Nixon (F. H.), The Chinese Puzzle Adjusted. Oldham (T.) and T. E. Rawlinson, Treatise on Railways9and Harbor Accom- modation for Victoria. Parker (G. E. S.), The Aborigines of Victoria—a Lecture. Pastoral Tenants of the Crown in Victoria, Statement of the case of. .—. . Opinions of the Council on the Right of. Perry (C., Bp. of Melbourne), Sermon preached upon Landing at Port Phillip. Petitions of the District of Port Phillip for Separation from the Territory of New South Wales. Pollard (N. W.), Prize Essay on Internal Communication. Port Phillip, Report, Commercial, General, and Statistical of. Farmers' Society, Transactions. and Colonial Gold Mining Campany, Reports. Supreme Court, General Rules. 1844. Prahran Mechanics Institution, Rules of. Price (John), Biographical Memoir of. Raffaelo (C.) The Eureka Stockade. Registrar General's Report on the Statistics of Victoria. 1851-8. 238 HANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. New Smith Wales. Its Condition by a Twelve Years' Resident. 'and its dependent Settlement in Van Diemen's Land. . . its Present and Future Prospects submitted to his Majesty and Parliament. its Past, Present, and Future Condition. - —. by the Hermit in Australia. —— and its dependent Settlements, historical account of— in illustration of twelve engravings by W. Preston, a Convict, from drawings by Capt. Wallis. 1821 folio. O'Harra, History of New South Wales. Osborne (A ), Notes on New South Wales. Oxley (J.), Journals of Two Expeditions into the Interior of New South Wales. 1817-18. Historical Account of the Colony of New South Wales, and its Dependencies. Pack (B. C.), Recollections of Sydney. Phillip (Governor), Voyage to Botany Bay, with an Account of the Estab- lishment of the Colonies at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island. Letters to Lord Sydney. Postscript to the Tract for the Tunes, addressed to the Laity of New South Wales. Reld (T.)( Voyages to New South Wales. Southampton to Sydney. Strzelecki (P. E. de), Physical Description of New South Wales and V*n Diemen's Land. Sydney, Magazine of Science and Art. Sydney, Letter from, edited by Gouger. Teggs Magazine. Tench (Capt. W ), Account of the Settlement of Port Jackson. Nirrative of the Expedition to Botany Bay. Thompson (E. D.), Speeches on first and second reading of Bill for Di- viding the Colony into Electoial Districts. 1851. Townsend (J. P.), Rambles in New South Wales. Trevelyan f W. C.), Description of New South Wales. Tuckey (J.), Voyage to establish a Colony at Port Phillip. Waghorn (Lieut. T.), Steam Navigation from Singapore to Port Jackson. Wild's (R-), Life of Sir J. Franklyn. 2 vols. Wentworth (W. C.) Description of New South Wales. 2. vols. Westgarth, (W.) Remarks on Royal Mint at Sydney. White (J.), Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales. Witte (J.), Voyage to New South Wales. 1787-8-9. Wreck of the Dunbar, Narrative of the. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Acts and Ordinances. Allen (J.), South Australian Almanac. Journal of an Experimental Trip by the " Lady Augusta" up the Murray. Angas(G. F.), Illustrations of South Australia. Folio. Bennett (J. F.), Historical and Descriptive Account of South Australia. Capper, (H.), South Australia. Chauncey (W. S.), Guide to South Australia. Clara Morrison, or South Australia during the Gold Fever. 2 vols. Correspondence relative to the Dismissal of the Original South Australian Commissioners. Duncan (Dr. H.), Account of the Colony of South Australia. Dutton (F.), Account of South Australia and its Mines. Finance, Minute and Estimate of Expenditure. 1844. Adelaide. Gouger (R.), South Australia. 1837-E LIST OF WORKS ON AUSTRALIA. 239 Government Gazette. James (F. H.), Residence in South Australia. Lee (F.), Sailing Directions for South Australia. Legislative Council, Votes and Proceedings of. Leigh (W. H.), Voyages and Travels in South Australia. 1836-8. Napier (C. J.), Colonisation in South Austra'ia. Reminiscences of a Sojourn in South Australia. 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From the German. Rochfort (J.), Surveyor in New Zealand. Savage (J.), Account of New Zealand, 1807. Shortland (E.), Southern Districts of New Zealand described. Traditions and Superstitions of the New Zealanders. Supreme Court of New Zealand, Rules of. Procedure Commission, Reports. Swainson (W.), Lectures on the New Zealanders. Account of Auckland. on the Climate of New Zealand. Terry (CA New Zealand, its Advantages and Prospects as a British Colony. Tucker, Southern Cross, or Gospel in New Zealand. Wade (W. R.), Journey to the Northern Island of New Zealand. Wakefield (E. J.), Adventure in New Zealand, 1839-44. 2 vols. Illustrations to ditto. Folio. Ward (J.), Information relative to New Zealand. Webb (Mrs.), New Zealand Pilgrims. Wilson (Mrs. R.), New Zealand and other Poems. Wood (Lieut. J.), New Zealand and its Claimants. Twelve months in New Zealand. Yate (W.), Account of New Zealand. TASMANIA. Acts of Council. Bent (Aw), Michael Howe, the last and worst of the Bushrangers. . 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J 212 IIANDBOOK TO AUSTRALASIA. D'Urville (D.), Voyage de la Corvette Astrolabe, 1826-9. 18 vols. Fltxroy (Capt. R.), Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of H. M. S. Advcn ture and Beagle, 1826-36. 4 vols. Forster (G.), Voy9'ge round the World, 1772-75. 2 vols. Freycinet (L. de), Voyage autour du Monde, sous le comniandement dn Capt. Baudin. Gerstaecker (F.), Journey round the World. 3 vols. Hamilton (G.), Voyage round the World in the ship Pandora, 1791. Holman (J ), Voyage round the World, 1827-32. 4 vols. Jukes (J. B.), Voyage of H. M. S. Fly in Torres Straits. New Guinea, &c., 1S42-6. 2 vols. Labtllardiere's Voyage in search of La Perouse, 1791-4. Perouse (J. F. G. de la), Voyage round the World, 1786-8. 2 vols., with atlas, folio. . Peyron, Voyage de Deconvertes aux Torres Australes, 1800-4. Rochon, Voyages aux Indes Orientales, &c. Ross (Sir J. C.) Voyage in the Southern and Antartic Regions, 1839-43. Schouten (W. C.), Voyage throutrh the Great South Sea. From the Dutch. 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Suttor (G.), Culture of the Vine and Orange in Australia. Sweet (Tt.), Flora Austral as ica. T&smanlan Journal of Natural Science, &c. 3 vols. Van Diemen's Land, Transactions of the Royal Society of. Victorian Agricultural and Horticultural Gazette. WORKS ON ETHNOLOGY, LANGUAGES, &c, OF AUSTRALIA. Australia, Aborigines of. Swan River, 1836. Buncc (D.), Language of the Aborigines of Victoria and other Australian Districts. Coates (D ), Rev. W. Beecham and Rev. W. Ellis, Evidence on Aborigines. D'Eichthat (G.), Etudes sur I'Hlfttoire des Races Oceaniennes. aur I'Histoire Primitive des Races Oceaniennes. Ellis (Rov. W.), Polynesian Researches. Grey (G.), Vocabulary of the Dialect of South-west Australia. Mythology of the New Zealanders. Poetry of the New Zealanders. Proverbial and Popular Sayings of the Ancestors of New Zea- landers. Library of Philology, vol. 2, part 1. Languages of Australia. • Hale (W.), Ethnography and Philology of U. S. Expedition, 1838-42. Kednall (T.), New Zealand Grammar and Vocabulary. Logan (J. R.), Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia. Meyer (H.), Vocabulary of the Aborigines of South Australia. Meinicke(C. E-), das Festland Australien. Milligan (J ), Vocabulary of the Dialects of Aboriginal Tribes of Tasmania. Mitchell (Sir T.). History of the Boomerang. Moore (G. F.), Vocabulary of Western Australia. New Zealand Grammar and Vocabulary, 1820. Nind (S.), Vocabulary of St. Geonre's Sound. Schurmann (C. H.), Vocabulary of Pamkalla Language. Spruner(Dr. C.), Historisch Geographischer Hand Atlas. 3 vols. Threlkeld (L. E.), Key to the Aboriginal Language. Tiechelman (C. T.) and C. W. Schiirman, Outline of a Grammar and Voca- bulary of the Aboriginal Language of South Australia. Williams (W.), Vocabulary of the Adelaide Aborigines. New Zealand Grammar and Vocabulary. 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